Regulation for Private Agricultural Workers, Shepherds and Similar Workers

Purpose and scope

• Governs employment of agricultural workers, private shepherds and similar workers employed by individuals in their homes, private farms or care of their own livestock, not by establishments (Article 2).
• Any term, settlement or release contrary to it during the contract is void unless more favourable to the worker (Article 4).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• Employing anyone under 21 is prohibited (Article 5).
• A worker may not be assigned unagreed work, work for others or on their own account, or work outside the occupation in the contract and residence permit, except through the Ajeer programme (Article 6).
• A paid probation period of up to 90 days, once only with the same employer (Article 9).
• Work may not exceed 8 hours a day, nor 5 consecutive hours without a break of at least half an hour; overtime is paid at the hourly wage plus 50% (Article 10).
• A paid weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, or a substitute day if worked (Article 11).
• Paid leave of at least 30 days every two years, the two Eid holidays, National Day and Founding Day, and a travel ticket every two years (Article 12).
• Sick leave of up to 30 days a year: 15 days on full pay, then 15 days on half pay (Article 13).
• The employer must provide housing and food or an allowance, transport or an allowance, and must not discriminate or impose forced labour (Article 15).
• Wages are paid at the end of each month through approved payment channels (Articles 17 and 18); deductions are limited to a quarter of the wage and to specific cases (Article 19).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• The employer may terminate without award, notice or compensation in defined cases, including assault, breach of essential obligations, and absence from work under ministry rules (Article 21).
• The worker may leave without notice and keep all rights if the employer breaches essential obligations, treats them cruelly or insultingly, or assaults them (Article 22).
• Termination for an unlawful reason entitles the injured party to two months' wages unless the contract sets another amount (Article 26).
• Violations are subject to the penalties in Labour Law Article 229 (Article 28).

Procedures and key deadlines

• The contract follows the approved mandatory templates (Article 7).
• End-of-service award: one month's wage after 4 consecutive years, then a quarter of a month's wage for each further year, based on the last wage (Article 23).
• Dues are settled within a week of the end of employment, or within two weeks if the worker ended the contract (Article 24).
• The ministry receives complaints and seeks amicable settlement (Article 27).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.