Regulation on Labour Inspection

Purpose and scope

• Governs labour inspection of private-sector establishments, inspectors' powers and duties, and procedures for recording violations, under the ministry's competent agency (Article 2).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• An inspector must be Saudi and hold a university degree or at least two years' inspection experience (Article 3), and carries an ID card to show when on duty (Article 6).
• Inspectors may enter workplaces at any time during working hours, and visits may never be announced in advance (Article 9).
• They may examine electronic and paper records, books and documents and take copies (Article 9).
• Employers and their representatives must provide facilities and requested data, appear when summoned, and send a representative on request (Article 12).
• Inspection focuses on establishments most likely to be in breach, with an early return visit when a serious breach is found (Article 15).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• A non-serious violation: an electronic warning to correct it within three working days, failing which a violation report is issued (Article 17).
• A serious violation: a violation report is issued immediately without warning (Article 17).
• Common problems: ignoring platform notifications until the correction period runs out, and refusing records to an inspector or obstructing them.

Procedures and key deadlines

• When a violation is recorded, the employer is asked for a statement through its registered electronic address and must reply within three days, or the record is completed (Article 18).
• General inspections cover all working conditions in the establishment, not just one aspect (Article 19).
• It is wise to check the establishment's notifications daily and keep its electronic address with the ministry up to date.

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.