Article 20 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
المادة 20 من اللائحة التنفيذية لضبط أعمال تفتيش العمل وتنظيمها · الفصل الخامس: قواعد التفتيش وإجراءاته
Article 20 requires labor inspectors to be careful, honest and precise, to base their remarks on what they observe themselves, and to refrain from remarks on matters they are not sufficiently familiar with.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجب على مفتشي العمل توخي الحرص والأمانة والدقة في القيام بالأعمال المنوطة بهم، وعليهم بوجه خاص أن يؤسسوا ملحوظاتهم على ما يشاهدونه بأنفسهم، كما أن عليهم الامتناع كلياً عن إبداء أي ملحوظة عن أمور لا يلمون بها إلماماً كافياً ، حفاظاً على ثقة أصحاب العمل والعمال بهم.
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 sets a standard for the quality of the inspector's work and remarks:
- Care, honesty and precision in carrying out the tasks entrusted to him.
- Personal observation: he must base his remarks on what he observes himself, not on what he hears or assumes.
- Complete abstention from making any remark about matters he is not sufficiently familiar with.
The purpose stated in the text is to preserve the confidence of employers and workers in the inspectors.
This article is linked to what the inspector writes in his report under Article 19, and to what he records in the violation report under Article 22. It is also consistent with Article 18, which allows the use of health and safety specialists when there are none in the office, since the inspector does not make technical remarks he is not familiar with.
The article does not specify the effect on the validity of a remark or report if the inspector breaches this duty. An employer who believes the inspector's remarks were not based on correct observation can consult a lawyer who specializes in labor cases to learn the appropriate way to object.
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 20 of the Saudi Labor Inspection Implementing Regulations
On what does a labor inspector base his remarks?
On what he observes himself, with care, honesty and precision.
May a labor inspector make remarks on matters he does not know?
No. He must refrain completely from making any remark about matters he is not sufficiently familiar with.
More articles on Labor Inspector's Tasks and Duties
- Article 7
Article 7 sets the tasks of inspectors in the labor offices, including monitoring application of the Labor Law through visits, courteously explaining the purpose of the visit, assisting workers and employers, and preparing reports.
يتولى المفتشون في مكاتب العمل المهمات والواجبات التالية: أ - مراقبة تطبيق أحكام نظام العمل واللوائح والقرارات الصادرة بمقتضاه في المنشآت الخاضعة لتفتيش العمل ،
- Article 8
Article 8 requires labor inspectors and their superiors to provide employers and workers with information and guidance, advise them on applying the best health and safety standards, and encourage cooperation between them.
على مفتشي العمل ورؤسائهم إمداد أصحاب الأعمال والعمال بالمعلومات الفنية والإرشادات العملية المتعلقة بحسن تنفيذ الأحكام النظامية ، كما أن عليهم إسداء النصح إليهم
- Article 9
Article 9 requires labor inspectors and their superiors to cooperate with workers and employers alike to improve human relations, productive efficiency and stability in labor relations.
على مفتشي العمل ورؤسائهم - التعاون مع العمال وأصحاب الأعمال على حد سواء - للمساعدة في تحسين العلاقات الإنسانية والكفاية الإنتاجية ، لإيجاد جو من الاستقرار في عل
- Article 10
Article 10 requires labor inspectors to handle problems with skill, integrity and fairness, and bars them from having any interest in establishments under their supervision or accepting gifts, offers or services.
على مفتشي العمل الاهتمام بمهمات التفتيش الموكولة إليهم وعليهم أن يتناولوا المشكلات التي تعرض عليهم من جوانبها المختلفة ، وأن يعملوا على معالجتها مع الأطراف المع
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.