Article 20 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
المادة 20 من نظام خدمة الأفراد · الفصل السادس: البدلات والتعويضات
The article sets out the cases in which cooked board is provided: to enlisted personnel in their units, to those detained or imprisoned in military units, and to recruits until their appointment procedures are completed.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تؤمن الاعاشة طهياً في الحالات التالية:
أ- للأفراد ضمن وحداتهم.
ب- للموقوفين والمسجونين في الوحدات العسكرية
ج- للمستجدين الموجودين في الوحدات العسكرية حتى انتهاء إجراءات تعيينهم.
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 20 explained in plain English
This article deals with cooked board, that is, providing cooked food to the enlisted person instead of paying him a cash equivalent. It sets three cases in which it is provided:
- Enlisted personnel within their units: an enlisted person who is in his unit is provided with cooked board.
- Those detained or imprisoned in military units: as long as they are in the military units themselves.
- Recruits who are in military units: until their appointment procedures are completed.
The restriction common to the second and third cases is presence in military units; the text speaks of those detained or imprisoned in military units, and of recruits who are in them. For recruits, the board is temporary and ends when their appointment procedures are completed.
The principle understood from the article is that board is provided in kind, that is, as cooked food, in these cases. The article does not specify the type or number of meals, and does not address paying a cash allowance, which has other provisions in the Law.
If you have a question about how the Law applies to your service position, you can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases and military service matters.
Practical example
Abdulrahman joined a military unit as a recruit, and his appointment procedures are not yet complete. Under the article, he is provided with cooked board in the unit throughout this period until his appointment procedures are completed.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentAdministrative Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Administrative Law (Board of Grievances) lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Al-Safwa Law Office and Legal Consultancy
Frequently asked questions about Article 20 of the Saudi Enlisted Personnel Service Law
When is cooked board provided to military enlisted personnel?
To enlisted personnel in their units, to those detained or imprisoned in military units, and to recruits who are in the units until their appointment procedures are completed.
Is a recruit entitled to board before appointment?
Yes. Cooked board is provided to recruits who are in military units until their appointment procedures are completed.
More articles on Enlisted Personnel Allowances and Rewards
- Article 21
The article allows paying the board allowance in cash in exceptional cases by decision of the Minister, cuts it off for those imprisoned in public prisons, and sets it as additional in wars, emergencies and field leave.
أ- يجوز في الحالات الاستثنائية صرف بدل الاعاشة نقداً للفراد الذين تمنعهم واجباتهم الرسمية من تناول الاعاشة طهياً أو الذين يتعذر تقديمها لهم طهياً ويصدر بتحديد ه
- Article 22Amended (1397 AH)
The article provides for paying a monthly transportation allowance to the enlisted person as set by the Implementing Regulations.
يصرف للفرد بدل انتقال شهري وفقا لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 23Amended (1427 AH)
The article provides for a field per diem for members posted on the front lines and taking part in maneuvers and field work under set conditions, and paid in full to internal security forces members doing field work.
يومية الميدان: أ- تصرف يومية ميدان وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية للأفراد المرابطين في الخطوط الأمامية داخل المملكة وخارجها كما تصرف للأفراد المشتركين في الم
- Article 24
The article provides for an operating allowance, a travel preparation allowance and a movement allowance for members working abroad in military attaché offices or the equivalent, as the Implementing Regulations provide.
بدل التشغيل: يصرف للأفراد العاملين في الخارج بالملحقيات العسكرية أو ما في حكمها بدل تشغيل وبدل تهيئة سفر وبدل تنقلات وفق الأحكام التي تقررها اللائحة التنفيذية.
- Article 25
The article provides for a bonus to a member by decision of the Minister under the Implementing Regulations in four cases: distinguished work for national security or public safety, Hajj, work on holidays, and academic or training excellence.
يصرف للفرد بقرار من الوزير مكافأة وفقاً لما تحدده اللائحة التنفيذية في الحالات التالية: أ- القيام بأعمال جليلة لصالح الأمن الوطني أو السلامة العامة. ب- الاشتراك
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.