Saudi Labour Courts Handle Over 132,000 Cases in a Year as Reforms Take Effect

Approximately 132,200 labour-related cases were filed in Saudi Arabia over the course of one year, resulting in more than 265,000 hearings, according to a Saudi media report.

This figure pertains to the cases filed in Saudi courts during the Islamic lunar year 1445, which ended on July 7.

The courts issued 118,100 rulings, reported Saudi news portal Akhbar24, citing figures from the Ministry of Justice.

During the year, Riyadh had the highest number of cases with 41,923, followed by Mecca with 31,238. These figures accounted for over 55% of the overall labour cases filed in Saudi courts.

In other regions of the kingdom, 18,872 cases were filed in the Eastern Province, 7,624 in Asir, and 7,622 in Medina during the same year.

No thematic breakdown of the cases was provided. Saudi Arabia hosts a large community of expatriate workers.

A mechanism has been introduced to reach amicable settlements in disputes between employees and employers, aiming to ensure a stable relationship between the contractual parties and work settings in the kingdom.

Efforts to reach a friendly settlement mark the initial phase in handling labour dispute suits, during which mediation endeavours are made to reconcile the views of the parties involved and reach a compromise acceptable to both sides.

If unsuccessful, the suit is referred to a labour court within 21 days of the first settlement session.
In 2018, new labour courts were introduced in Saudi Arabia to ensure fast-track litigation and the delivery of justice as part of the country’s massive reforms.

Their jurisdiction includes ruling on disputes related to employment contracts, wages, labour rights, injuries, compensation, and social insurance claims.

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