Saudi Arabia tightens labour rules for foreign workers with stricter leave and absence policies

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major policy update affecting foreign nationals seeking employment in the Kingdom, tightening labour regulations related to leave, attendance, and contract compliance.

According to the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment in Islamabad, the new rules have been implemented under Saudi labour law and will apply uniformly to all foreign workers. The revised framework sets a minimum age requirement of 21 years for individuals travelling to Saudi Arabia for employment and emphasizes strict adherence to employment contracts.

Under the updated regulations, workers who fail to return from annual leave on time will be officially classified as absent. Authorities have also introduced clear thresholds for disciplinary action: employees who remain absent without notice for 30 consecutive days, or accumulate 60 days of intermittent absence, may face termination of their employment contracts.

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Officials said the policy aims to strengthen workplace discipline, improve labour compliance, and ensure better regulation of the foreign workforce across various sectors in the Kingdom.

Pakistani authorities have advised prospective workers to carefully review contract terms and complete all legal formalities before departure to avoid penalties or employment disruption under the new system.

The development comes amid ongoing enforcement actions in Saudi Arabia against residency and labour law violations. According to reports, the Saudi General Directorate of Passports recently issued more than 15,000 administrative decisions within a month targeting breaches related to residency, labour regulations, and border security.

The Saudi Press Agency stated that these enforcement measures apply to both citizens and foreign residents, with penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to deportation in cases of serious violations.

Officials in Pakistan say the updated labour framework underscores the importance of compliance for overseas workers, particularly as Saudi Arabia continues to reform and tighten its labour and immigration systems.