My Life in Saudi

  Saudi Arabia’s labor market is undergoing significant transformation in 2025 as the Kingdom accelerates Saudization—a national policy aimed at increasing the participation of Saudi nationals in the private sector workforce. With new rules targeting multiple professions and a revamped classification system for expat workers, it’s essential for foreign employees and employers alike to stay informed and compliant. Whether you're working in Saudi Arabia or planning to, this comprehensive guide will help you understand how the new Saudization rules in 2025 may affect your job, visa, and career prospects. 🌍 Why Saudization Is Important – The Bigger Picture Launched under the Vision 2030 initiative, Saudization (also called Nitaqat ) is a government program that mandates companies to hire a certain percentage of Saudi nationals. The goal is to reduce unemployment among locals, develop national human capital, and lessen dependency on foreign labor. Initially rolled out in 2011, S...

  Saudi Arabia has one of the largest domestic worker populations in the world. From housemaids and drivers to private nurses and cooks, domestic workers play a vital role in the daily lives of many Saudi and expatriate families. To protect both workers and employers, the Kingdom has introduced specific labor laws and regulations. If you are an expat living in Saudi Arabia who employs a domestic worker, or if you are working in this field, it is important to understand your rights and obligations under the Saudi Labor Law for Domestic Workers . This guide will explain the law, key rights, responsibilities, and what expats need to know about employing or working as a domestic worker in the Kingdom. 📌 Who is Considered a Domestic Worker? According to Saudi labor regulations, a domestic worker is any person hired to perform household services under the employer’s supervision, whether directly or indirectly. This includes: Housemaids Private drivers Gardeners Cooks a...

  Losing a job can be stressful , especially in a foreign country like Saudi Arabia. Whether you're an expat or a Saudi national, it's important to understand the common reasons for job termination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and your legal rights under the Saudi Labor Law . This guide explains the lawful and unlawful grounds for dismissal, employer obligations, and what you can do if you're terminated unfairly. 📌 What Does Saudi Labor Law Say About Termination? Saudi Labor Law, particularly Articles 74–80 , outlines various acceptable reasons for contract termination. It classifies dismissals into: Valid/legal reasons (with or without notice) Invalid/unlawful terminations (which can be challenged) Mutual or automatic terminations (e.g. end of contract) Let’s go through each category step by step. ✅ 1. End of Contract (Article 74) The most common reason for termination is the natural end of a fixed-term contract . This includes: Contract ...