Article 1 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
المادة 1 من اللائحة التنفيذية لضبط أعمال تفتيش العمل وتنظيمها · الفصل الأول: جهاز تفتيش العمل
Article 1 defines labor inspection as the tasks carried out by labor inspectors, named by decision of the Minister of Labor, to exercise their powers under Article 196 of the Labor Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تفتيش العمل : المهمات التي يقوم بها مفتشو العمل الذين يسميهم وزير العمل بقرار منه ، وذلك لتنفيذ اختصاصاتهم المنصوص عليها في المادة (196) من نظام العمل.
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 1 explained in plain English
The Regulations begin by defining their central subject, labor inspection. Under this article the definition has three elements:
- Nature: labor inspection is the "tasks" carried out by labor inspectors.
- Who the inspectors are: the persons named by decision of the Minister of Labor. Only someone named by a decision of the Minister counts as an inspector.
- Purpose: exercising their powers stated in Article 196 of the Labor Law.
This article does not set out the content of Article 196 of the Labor Law, which should be consulted in the Law itself. The details of the inspectors' tasks and powers appear in Chapters Two and Three of these Regulations, including Article 7 (tasks and duties) and Article 11 (powers).
This definition is useful to employers and workers alike: the inspector derives his status from the Minister's decision, and Article 5 provides that he carries a card proving his official status. Anyone facing an inspection visit or a violation who wants to know his position may consult a lawyer specializing in labor cases.
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 contentLabour & Employment Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Labour & Employment Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributorDr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 1 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
What is meant by labor inspection?
The tasks carried out by labor inspectors, named by decision of the Minister of Labor, to exercise their powers stated in Article 196 of the Labor Law.
Who appoints labor inspectors?
The Minister of Labor, by decision.
More articles on Labor Inspection Authority
- Article 2
Article 2 explains that the labor inspection body consists of a central department in the Ministry's Deputy Ministry for Labor Affairs and branch bodies in the labor offices.
يتألف جهاز تفتيش العمل من إدارة مركزية في وكالة الوزارة للشؤون العمالية ومن أجهزة فرعية في مكاتب العمل.
- Article 3
Article 3 bars replacing labor inspectors after their appointment, or assigning them additional duties, except by decision of the Minister and without conflicting with their duties or affecting their competence and impartiality.
لا يجوز تبديل مفتشي العمل بعد تعيينهم، أو تكليفهم بواجبات إضافية إلا وفقاً للشروط التالية : أ - أن يكون التبديل بقرار من وزير العمل . ب - ألاَّ تتعارض الواجبات
- Article 4
Article 4 requires labor inspectors to take an oath before the Minister of Labor before starting their work, pledging honesty and keeping secrets even after leaving the post, and a record is drawn up.
يقسم مفتشو العمل قبل مباشرتهم مهمات تفتيش العمل أمام وزير العمل اليمين التالية : ( أقسم بالله أن أقوم بمهام وظيفتي بأمانة وإخلاص ، وألاَّ أفشي سراً من أسرار أي
- Article 5
Article 5 requires a labor inspector to carry a card bearing his photo and stamped with the Ministry's seal to prove his official status, and to return it when he leaves inspection work.
يحمل مفتش العمل بطاقة تحمل صورته ومختومة بالختم الرسمي للوزارة، وذلك لإثبات صفته الرسمية عند قيامه بمهمات تفتيش العمل ، وعلى المفتش إعادة هذه البطاقة عند تركه ل
- Article 6
Article 6 lists the tasks of the central labor inspection department, including supervising inspectors, caring for workers' health and safety, preparing forms and the annual report, and training inspectors.
تتولى الإدارة المركزية لتفتيش العمل المهمات التالية : أ - الإشراف على أعمال المفتشين في مكاتب العمل وتوجيههم ، ومراقبة أعمال التفتيش ومتابعة خططه وبرامجه . ب -
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.

