Article 131 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 131 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الرابع: عقد العمل البحري
A seafarer injured or ill in the ship's service is entitled to his full wage during the voyage, the labor law governs after the voyage, and there is no wage or grant if it resulted from disobedience or misconduct.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يستحق البحار الذي يصاب بجرح أو بمرض وهو في خدمة السفينة, أجره كاملاً أثناء الرحلة.
2- تسري فيما يتعلق باستحقاق الأجر أو المنحة بعد انتهاء الرحلة الأحكام الواردة بنظام العمل.
3- لا يستحق البحار أي أجر أو منحة إذا كان الجرح أو المرض ناشئاً عن العصيان أو غير ذلك من حالات سوء السلوك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 131 explained in plain English
This article governs the wage of a seafarer who is wounded or falls ill while in the ship's service, and distinguishes three cases:
- During the voyage: the seafarer is entitled to his full wage, which is not reduced because of the injury or illness.
- After the voyage ends: the provisions of the labor law apply to entitlement to wage or grant; this article does not state their details.
- Disobedience or misconduct: if the wound or illness results from disobedience or other cases of misconduct, the seafarer is not entitled to any wage or grant.
This article complements Article 130, which requires the employer to treat a seafarer free of charge if he is injured or ill in the ship's service, with the right to deduct treatment costs from the wage if it resulted from misconduct. Article 130 concerns treatment; this article concerns the wage.
It appears that the Law protects a seafarer who falls ill or is injured while working, but deprives of wage and grant anyone who caused his own injury through his misconduct. A seafarer who disputes his wage during illness is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in maritime law.
Practical example
A seafarer on a tanker traveling from Ras Tanura to Asia falls ill and cannot work for the rest of the voyage. He is entitled to his full wage throughout the voyage, and what follows its end is governed by the labor law.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 131 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Is a sick seafarer entitled to his wage during the voyage?
Yes. If he is injured or falls ill while in the ship's service, he is entitled to his full wage during the voyage.
What is the rule on a sick seafarer's wage after the voyage ends?
The provisions of the labor law apply.
When does an injured seafarer lose his wage?
If the wound or illness resulted from disobedience or other misconduct, he is not entitled to any wage or grant.
More articles on Maritime Employment Contract and Seafarer Rights
- Article 56
The article provides that giving the master and crew an advance or a payment on account does not make their debts referred to in paragraph (2) of Article 46 payable before their due date.
لا يترتب على تسليم الربان والبحارة وغيرهم ممن يرتبطون بعقد عمل في السفينة مبلغاً مقدماً أو على الحساب اعتبار ديونهم المشار إليها في الفقرة (2) من المادة (السادس
- Article 91
If a ship is sold compulsorily as a result of its attachment, the person to whom the auction is awarded is not bound by the employment contracts of the master or the seamen working on it.
إذا بيعت السفينة جبراً نتيجة الحجز عليها فلا يلتزم من رسا عليه المزاد بعقود عمل ربان السفينة أو البحارة الذين يعملون عليها.
- Article 114
The master and seafarers may not load goods for their own account without the shipowner's permission; a violator pays double the freight, and the master may throw the goods overboard if they endanger safety or entail fines or expenses.
لا يجوز للربان أو لأحد البحارة شحن بضاعة في السفينة لحسابه الخاص إلا بإذن من المجهز، ويترتب على مخالفة هذا الحظر إلزام المخالف بأن يدفع للمجهز ضعف أجرة نقل البض
- Article 125
The maritime employment contract provisions apply to those working on ships on international voyages, and a Saudi may not work on ships sailing outside the Kingdom's maritime areas without a maritime service record from the Authority.
1- تسري أحكام عقد العمل البحري الواردة في النظام على الأشخاص الذين يعملون على السفن التي تقوم برحلات دولية. 2- لا يجوز لمن يحملون الجنسية السعودية أن يقوموا بأي
- Article 126
The employer must pay seafarers' wages at the time and place specified in the contract, or those required by maritime custom.
يلتزم صاحب العمل بأداء أجور البحارة في الزمان والمكان المحددين في العقد، أو اللذين يقضي بهما العرف البحري.
- Article 127
A seafarer's voyage wage is not reduced if the shipowner or master shortens the voyage, and increases in proportion to the extension if they lengthen or postpone it, with no increase for the master where it was his fault.
إذا كان الأجر معيناً بالرحلة فلا يجوز تخفيضه في حالة تقصير السفر بفعل المجهز أو الربان، أما إذا نشأ عن الفعل المذكور إطالة السفر أو تأجيله فيزداد الأجر بنسبة ام
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.