Saudi Warns Employers of Jail, Fine for Allowing Workers to Take Outside Jobs

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has warned individual employers that allowing their workers to take jobs with other employers or work independently could result in imprisonment, a fine of up to SR100,000 and a ban on recruiting workers for up to five years.

Under the regulations, employers found allowing such violations could face a prison sentence of up to six months, in addition to the financial penalty and restrictions on recruiting new workers.

The warning forms part of the Kingdom’s ongoing enforcement of residency, labour and border security regulations, which prohibit workers from taking employment outside the arrangements under which they were legally recruited.

The ministry urged both employers and workers to comply fully with the relevant regulations and warned against practices that breach the Kingdom’s residency and labour rules.

Authorities also called on members of the public to report violations to help strengthen compliance and enforcement.

Reports can be made by calling 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, while 999 is available for reporting violations in other parts of Saudi Arabia.