Saudi Arabia’s Human Resources and Social Development Ministry has announced Labour Law amendments have been approved. Under the changes, Saudi employees should make up at least 75% of the total workforce. If there are not enough competent employees to achieve these numbers because of a lack of relevant candidates with the required technical or academic qualifications or if it was not possible to hire nationals for these jobs, the Minister will be able reduce the required proportion. Other amendments to the Labour Law will also require every employer who has 25 or more employees to ensure 4% of their workforce are disabled people providing the nature of their work allows this. There have also been changes to the rules on advertisements for new and existing jobs. The Ministry has launched a consultation on the proposed amendments.
The Ministry has also announced it has suspended the application of Article 41 of the Implementing Regulations to the Labour Law. It was issued by Saudi Arabia Ministerial Decision No. 70273/1440. It was introduced to help businesses manage the adverse effects of Coronavirus. It enabled employers to deal with their employees’ wages including having an option to reduce them temporarily and reduce their number of working hours.