How do you file labour complaints in Saudi Arabia, and does it cost anything?
Labour complaints in Saudi Arabia are filed online and free of charge through the e-services portal of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD). For a money or contract claim, such as unpaid wages or an end-of-service award, you use the amicable settlement service. For a violation by the employer, such as a breach found at the workplace, you use the separate violation-reporting service. Amicable settlement is the first stage of a labor dispute, and the case goes to the labor court only if settlement fails.
This guide explains which complaint to choose, the online steps, the documents to prepare, the official timelines, and what happens next. It covers the complaint route only. For compensation after a dismissal, see our guide to employer termination and compensation under the Labor Law.
Do you have a labor claim and are unsure how to start the complaint? You can send a short summary on WhatsApp and the Al-Safwa Law Firm team will review your documents and the dates in confidence and tell you which route fits your case.
Table of Contents
Labour complaints in Saudi Arabia at a glance
| Item | What the official sources say |
|---|---|
| Where to file a claim | HRSD e-services portal for labor (individuals portal for workers, establishments portal for employers) |
| Cost | Free |
| First session | Within 10 working days of registering the claim |
| Settlement period | 21 working days from the first attendance |
| If settlement fails | A report of failure to settle is issued and the case goes to the competent labor court |
| Filing deadline | Twelve months from the end of the employment relationship (Article 234 of the Labor Law), unless the court accepts an excuse or the employer acknowledges the right |
Which type of labour complaint should you file?
Many people searching for labour complaints in Saudi Arabia mean one of two different services. Choosing the wrong one delays the result.
| Amicable settlement claim | Violation report | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Claim a right of your own: wages, end-of-service award, compensation | Report a labor-law violation by an establishment so the Ministry can inspect |
| Channel | HRSD e-services portal for labor | The HRSD app or the Tawakkalna app, with Absher login |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Typical result | A settlement minute, or referral to the labor court | An inspection procedure; the average processing time stated by HRSD is about three days |
As a rule of thumb, choose the settlement claim when you want money or a contractual right, and choose the violation report when you want the Ministry to inspect the workplace. Some situations involve both, in which case the two services work separately and neither replaces the other. The settlement service is not for domestic workers, who are handled under separate rules.
How do you file labour complaints in Saudi Arabia online?
For a rights claim, the steps on the HRSD service page are:
- Log in to the e-services portal for labor. Workers use the individuals portal and employers use the establishments portal.
- Choose the amicable settlement service and file a claim. Complete the mandatory fields, including your details, the defendant’s details and the work details, and select the subject of the claim.
- Attach the supporting documents. Accept the declaration that the claim is not malicious, then submit.
- Wait for the review. Specialists review the request. If it is rejected, the reasons appear in the claims service. If it is accepted, SMS and email notices go to the parties, followed by the hearing notice.
- Attend the sessions. If the parties settle, a settlement minute is issued and can be printed. If not, a report of failure to settle is issued.
The claim goes to the settlement office whose area covers the place of work. If the claimant does not attend, the claim is saved and can be reopened, provided the period does not exceed 21 working days.
What documents support your claim?
The service page does not fix a closed list, so the strength of the claim depends on what proves the work relationship and the right you are claiming. Documents that usually help include:
- the employment contract, or anything that proves the work relationship;
- payslips or a bank statement showing wages paid and wages delayed;
- the termination or resignation letter and any messages about the reason;
- proof of the length of service, which you need to calculate the end-of-service award.
If your claim is about the award, you can estimate it first with our end-of-service calculator. If it is about late wages, read our guide to delayed salary under the Saudi Labor Law.
What happens after you submit the claim?
The Ministry of Justice guide to labor cases explains the settlement stage:
- the first session is held within ten working days of registering the claim (Article 13);
- the settlement period is 21 working days from the first attendance, and if settlement fails the department refers the case to the labor court (Article 14);
- a settlement minute issued by the conciliator is an enforceable instrument and can be submitted directly to the enforcement court without a new lawsuit (Article 23);
- an employer who misses the first session can have its services at the Ministry suspended by the settlement department (Article 17).
The same guide adds that an expatriate worker may request a transfer of services to another employer, without the current employer’s consent, if the employer misses the first and second sessions. Because the rules are detailed, check how they apply to your own facts.
When does the case go to the labor court?
When settlement fails, you may file with the competent labor court. Local jurisdiction follows the place of work. The twelve-month deadline in Article 234 still applies, and the same article provides that labor cases are heard on an urgent basis. The Ministry of Justice guide also notes that judgments in small claims not exceeding SAR 20,000 are not subject to appeal. Our guide to the labour court in Saudi Arabia explains the court stage.
What should the claim itself say?
A clear claim saves time at the first session. State each right separately, for example unpaid wages for named months, the end-of-service award, and any compensation, and attach the document that supports each item. Give the start and end dates of the work relationship, the last wage, and the reason the employer gave for ending the contract, if it did. Avoid a general statement such as “I want all my rights”, because the settlement office and the other side need to see what exactly is claimed.
Can someone file on your behalf?
Yes, but the authority must be clear. According to the HRSD service page, a representative must hold a power of attorney that authorises attendance at the settlement sessions and includes the right to waive, reconcile or remit claims. An agent holding a Ministry of Justice power of attorney must also be registered with the Ministry of Human Resources. If you plan to appoint a representative, check these points before the first session so that the session is not wasted.
How does the timeline work in practice?
As an illustration only, suppose your employment ended on 1 March. The deadline for filing is twelve months from that date, so file well before it. Once the claim is registered, the first session should be held within ten working days. The settlement period then runs for 21 working days from your first attendance. If there is no agreement, the case moves to the labor court. Dates can shift with holidays and notifications, so rely on the notices you receive through the portal.
How do you report a workplace violation?
If your concern is a violation by the establishment rather than a personal financial claim, use the HRSD violation-reporting service. You open the Ministry’s app or the Tawakkalna app, log in through Absher, choose the type of report, and complete the form. The report is then entered into the Ministry’s system for inspection, and its status appears in the app. For general questions and guidance, the Ministry’s unified number is 19911. It is for inquiries, not for filing the claim itself.
Which claims are most common?
Workers most often bring labour complaints in Saudi Arabia over:
- late or unpaid wages;
- an end-of-service award that was missing or calculated too low, which our guide to end-of-service benefits explains;
- compensation for ending the contract without a valid reason under Article 77;
- unpaid overtime or accrued leave pay.
What mistakes delay labour complaints in Saudi Arabia?
- Waiting too long. The twelve-month period runs from the end of the employment relationship.
- Filing a vague claim. State each right separately and attach what supports it.
- Using the wrong service. A violation report does not recover your wages.
- Missing the first session. The claim is saved and can be reopened only within the stated period.
- Losing documents. Save your contract, payslips and messages before you leave the job.
When do you need a lawyer?
You can file the complaint yourself. A lawyer helps when you have several claims, the reason for termination is disputed, or the twelve-month deadline is close. A labour lawyer in Jeddah can organise the claims and documents before the first session and follow the case if it is referred to the labor court.
Frequently Asked Questions about labour complaints in Saudi Arabia
Do labour complaints in Saudi Arabia cost a fee?
No. HRSD lists the amicable settlement service and the violation-reporting service as free.
Can I go straight to the labor court?
The dispute starts with the amicable settlement stage. The case reaches the labor court by referral from the settlement department if settlement fails.
What is the deadline for filing after I leave my job?
Article 234 of the Labor Law sets twelve months from the end of the employment relationship, unless the court accepts an excuse or the employer acknowledges the right. File early.
What if my employer does not attend the settlement session?
The settlement department may suspend the employer’s services at the Ministry if it misses the first session. If the settlement period ends without agreement, the case is referred to the labor court, so your claim does not depend on the employer’s attendance.
Can an employer also file a complaint?
Yes. The e-services portal has an establishments portal, and the amicable settlement service is open to employers as well as workers.
What is the number 19911?
It is the unified number of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, used for inquiries and guidance.
This guide covered labour complaints in Saudi Arabia from the first online step to the labor court: the two types of complaint, the documents, the timelines and the deadline. If you have a real case, contact us through the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen.
Sources:
- Friendly Settlement for Labor Disputes – Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
- Reporting Labor Law Violations – Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Arabic)
- Labor cases guide – Ministry of Justice (Arabic)
- Labor Law – Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers (Arabic)
A legal advisor holding a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the prestigious Cairo University. He possesses extensive experience spanning over 25 years in criminal, civil, and family law, during which he has achieved notable accomplishments that have solidified his reputation as a valuable asset to any legal team
