Article 11 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
المادة 11 من اللائحة التنفيذية لضبط أعمال تفتيش العمل وتنظيمها · الفصل الثالث: صلاحيات مفتشي العمل
Article 11 sets the labor inspector's powers: entering workplaces, examining records and documents and copying them, taking samples and examining machinery, and questioning the employer and workers.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يكون لمفتشي العمل في مجال قيامهم بمهمات تفتيش العمل الموكولة إليهم ممارسة الصلاحيات التالية :
أ - الدخول إلى جميع أماكن العمل، وذلك بعد إبلاغ صاحب العمل أو ممثله قبل دخوله إلى المنشاة، مع إبراز بطاقته التعريفية، ما لم ير أن هذا الإبلاغ قد يضر بمهمة التفتيش الموكولة إليه ، إلا أنه لا يجوز بحال من الأحوال الإخبار المسبق عن الزيارة التفتيشية مهما كانت الأسباب.
ب - فحص السجلات والأوراق والدفاتر والملفات أو أي وثيقة أخرى لها علاقة بالعمال ، والحصول على صور ومستخرجات منها ، وذلك للتأكد من مطابقتها للمتطلبات المنصوص عليها في نظام العمل واللوائح والقرارات الصادرة تطبيقاً له، وأن يلفت نظر أصحاب الأعمال إلى تعليق البيانات والإعلانات المنصوص عليها في النظام في منشآتهم .
ج - الحصول على عينات من المواد المستعملة والتي تتداول في المنشأة لتحليلها ، وكذلك فحص الآلات والتركيبات المختلفة للتأكد من وجود الوسائل الكافية والفعالة التي توفر أسباب الوقاية والصحة للعمال، وللمفتش إصدار الأوامر اللازمة لإجراء التغييرات العاجلة المطلوبة لتوفير اشتراطات الحماية الواجبة من مخاطر العمل والآلات .
د - سؤال صاحب العمل أو ممثله أو العمال على انفراد أو في حضور شهود في أي من الموضوعات المتصلة بتنفيذ أحكام النظام ، ليمكن في ضوئها استنتاج ما إذا كانت الاشتراطات التي نص عليها نظام العمل والقرارات المنفذة له مطبقة وإلى أي حد .
هـ - بحث أفضل الطرق مع أصحاب العمل والعمال منفردين أو مجتمعين لتسهيل تطبيق الأحكام النظامية المتعلقة بالعمل ، وتذليل الصعوبات التي تعترض ذلك وخاصة ما تعلق منها بالجهل بأحكام النظام .
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 11 explained in plain English
This article is the legal basis for what the inspector may do during a visit:
- Entering workplaces: after notifying the employer or his representative before entering the establishment, showing his identification card, unless he considers that this notice may harm the inspection task. But advance notice of the visit is not permitted in any case, whatever the reasons; notice is given on arrival, not before the visit.
- Examining documents: records, papers, books, files and any document relating to the workers, and obtaining copies and extracts of them, to check that they conform to the Law. He may draw the employer's attention to posting the notices and announcements required by law.
- Samples and machinery: taking samples of materials used for analysis, and examining machinery and installations to check the means of protection. He may issue the orders needed to make urgent changes to provide protection from work and machinery hazards.
- Questioning: questioning the employer or his representative or the workers, alone or in the presence of witnesses, on matters relating to implementation of the Law.
- Discussing solutions: with employers and workers, separately or together, to make it easier to apply the provisions, especially where they are not known.
The inspector must keep the secrets he learns of, in line with his oath in Article 4. Anyone facing an inspection visit who wants to know his rights and obligations may consult a lawyer specializing in labor cases.
Practical example
A labor inspector arrives at a factory in Dammam with no prior appointment. On arrival he notifies the person in charge and shows his card, then asks to see the workers' records and takes copies of them. He notices a machine without a protective guard and issues an order for the urgent change needed, then questions some workers alone about working conditions.
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 11 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
Can a labor inspector enter without an appointment?
Yes. Advance notice of an inspection visit is not permitted in any case. The inspector notifies the employer or his representative before entering the establishment and shows his card, unless he considers that notice would harm his task.
Can a labor inspector take copies of an establishment's records?
Yes. He may examine the records and documents relating to the workers and obtain copies and extracts of them.
Does a labor inspector question workers away from the employer?
He may question the employer or his representative or the workers, alone or in the presence of witnesses, on matters relating to implementation of the Law.
Can a labor inspector require an establishment to change its machinery?
He may issue the orders needed for the urgent changes required to provide protection from work and machinery hazards.
More articles on Labor Inspector's Powers
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.