Article 13 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 13 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل الرابع: الرواتب
The article provides for paying half of an enlisted person's net salary while he is detained or imprisoned for investigation or trial, and returning what was withheld if he is not convicted or is punished with something other than dismissal.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يصرف للفرد أثناء مدة توقيفه أو سجنه لغرض التحقيق أو المحاكمة نصف صافي راتبه، فان لم تثبت ادانته او عوقب بغير الطرد، يعاد اليه ما استقطع من راتبه.
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 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates the salary of an enlisted person who is detained or imprisoned because of an investigation or trial. The rule is:
- During the period of detention or imprisonment he is paid half of his net salary, that is, half of what remains of the salary after deductions.
- This provision applies where the detention or imprisonment is for the purpose of investigation or trial.
The article then sets out when what was withheld from his salary is returned to him, in two cases:
- If he is not convicted.
- If he is punished with a penalty other than dismissal.
It follows from the text that if the enlisted person is punished with dismissal, the withheld half is not returned to him, because return is limited to the two cases mentioned. This wording is in force by Royal Decree No. (M/44) of 22/9/1422 AH.
In practice, the enlisted person's family is not left without his income entirely during the investigation, and at the same time the other half is held until the outcome of the case becomes clear. A person in this situation can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and military service matters, or a criminal lawyer regarding the case itself.
Practical example
Sergeant Adel was detained for three months for investigation in a case, and during that time he was paid half of his net salary. The case ended with no conviction, so under the article what was withheld from his salary throughout the detention is returned to him.
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 13 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
Is a military enlisted person's salary paid during detention for investigation?
Yes. He is paid half of his net salary during the period of his detention or imprisonment for the purpose of investigation or trial.
When does the enlisted person recover what was withheld from his salary during detention?
If he is not convicted, or is punished with a penalty other than dismissal.
Is the withheld half returned if the enlisted person is dismissed?
The article limits return of the withheld amount to non-conviction or punishment other than dismissal, so it does not cover the case of dismissal.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/44 — 22/9/1422 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- عُّدلت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/44) وتاريخ 1422/9/22هـ، لتصبح بالنص الآتي: "يصرف للفرد أثناء مدة توقيفه أو سجنه لغرض التحقيق أو المحاكمة نصف صافي راتبه، فان لم تثبت ادانته او عوقب بغير الطرد، يعاد اليه ما استقطع من راتبه".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
يصرف للفرد أثناء توقيفه أو سجنه لغرض المحاكمة نصف صافي راتبه فأن يرى أو عوقب بغير الطرد يعاد إليه ما أستقطع منه.
More articles on Enlisted Personnel Salaries and Attachment of Them
- Article 11
The article provides that enlisted personnel's pay is set by the salary scale attached to the Law, including the basic salary and periodic increments, and an enlisted person may not be assigned to more than one post but may carry out its duties.
أ- تحدد رواتب الأفراد بموجب سلم الرواتب المرفق بهذا النظام ويشمل الراتب الأساسي والعلاوات الدورية. ب- لا يجوز أن يثبت الفرد على أكثر من وظيفة ولكن يجوز أن يقوم
- Article 12
The article provides that a promoted enlisted person receives the salary of the first grade in the new rank, and if his salary equals or exceeds it, he receives the first grade that exceeds his salary.
يمنح الفرد المرقى راتب أول درجة الرتبة المرقى إليها، فإذا كان راتبه عند الترقية ساوياً لراتب هذه الدرجة أو يزيد عليه يمنح راتب أول درجة تتجاوز راتبه.
- Article 14
The article provides for paying the full salary of a captive enlisted person, with increments and allowances, to his family until his captivity ends, after which he is treated according to the decisions issued about him.
يصرف لعائلة الفرد في حالة أسره كامل راتبه مع العلاوات والبدلات إلى أن ينتهي اسره ثم يعامل بموجب ما يصدر بحقه من قرارات.
- Article 14 bisAmended (1435 AH)
The article regulates attachment of an enlisted person's salary by order of the Prime Minister for government debts, or by court judgment for others, up to one third of net salary, with the debt of alimony taking priority without regard to the ratio.
يحجز على راتب الفرد بأمر من رئيس مجلس الوزراء إن كان متعلقاً بديون الحكومة، أو بحكم قضائي إن كان متعلقاً بغير ديون الحكومة، على ألا يتجاوز المقدار المحجوز ثلث ص
- Article 15
The article provides that the enlisted person receives the periodic increment annually by moving him from his grade to the next grade directly in the same rank in the salary scale, with the move taking place on the first of Muharram each year.
يمنح الفرد العلاوة الدورية سنوياً وفي سلم الرواتب المرفق بهذا النظام وذلك بنقلة من الدرجة التي يشغلها إلى الدرجة التي تليها مباشرة في الرتبة ذاتها ويتم هذا النق
- Article 48
The article provides for paying the salaries of members on annual leave in advance, including all allowances and increments, with the subsistence allowance paid in cash.
تصرف رواتب الافراد المجازين في إجازة سنوية مقدما بما في ذلك جميع البدلات والعلاوات كما يصرف بدل الاعاشة نقداً.
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.