Article 132 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 132 من نظام العمل · الباب الثامن: الوقاية من مخاطر العمل والوقاية من الحوادث الصناعية الكبرى وإصابات العمل والخدمات الصحية والاجتماعية
Article 132 exempts establishments subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law from the work injuries chapter of the Labor Law.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا تسري أحكام هذا الفصل على المنشآت التي تخضع لفرع الأخطار المهنية من نظام التأمينات الاجتماعية.
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 132 explained in plain English
Article 132 sets the scope of application of the "work injuries" chapter of the Labor Law, which begins right after it and places obligations on the employer toward an injured worker, most notably what Article 133 provides, requiring the employer to treat a worker who suffers a work injury or occupational disease and to bear all the costs of this, including hospital stay, tests, X-rays, prosthetic devices and the cost of travel to places of treatment.
The rule the article sets is simple: if the establishment is subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law, the provisions of this chapter do not apply to it. In practical terms, coverage of work injuries in these establishments is through the Social Insurance Law, not through the direct obligations imposed on the employer in the Labor Law, to avoid the two laws overlapping on the same incident.
The following results in practice:
- Establishments not subject to the occupational hazards branch: the employer remains directly bound by the provisions of this chapter, including bearing the costs of treatment under Article 133.
- Establishments subject to the occupational hazards branch: they are excluded from the provisions of this chapter, and injuries to their workers are handled according to the Social Insurance Law, an independent law whose details this article does not address.
It is important to note that the exception is limited to this chapter only (work injuries), and does not extend to the rest of the provisions of Part Eight, such as the obligations on preventing work hazards and major industrial accidents regulated by Article 131 and those before it, which remain binding on all establishments.
If a worker is injured at work, the first thing to find out is whether their establishment is subject to the occupational hazards branch or not, because that determines who is responsible for covering the injury and which provisions apply. If there is a disagreement over whether the establishment is subject or over the injured worker's rights, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in labor cases.
Practical example
Ahmed suffered a broken hand while working at a warehouse belonging to an establishment in Dammam. Ahmed asked who bears the cost of his treatment, and it turned out that his establishment is not subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law, so the provisions of the work injuries chapter of the Labor Law apply to it, and the employer is directly bound to treat him and bear his costs under Article 133. His colleague Saad, who works at another establishment that is subject to the occupational hazards branch, is in a different position: under Article 132 the provisions of this chapter do not apply to his establishment, and his injury is handled according to the Social Insurance Law.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 132 of the Saudi Labor Law
What does Article 132 of the Labor Law exempt?
It exempts establishments subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law from the provisions of the work injuries chapter of the Labor Law, meaning the employer obligations in that chapter do not apply to them.
Does that mean a worker in establishments subject to the occupational hazards branch is not compensated for a work injury?
No. The article only excludes the application of the work injuries chapter of the Labor Law, because these establishments are subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law, which covers work injuries in them.
Are establishments subject to social insurance also exempt from safety and prevention obligations?
No. The exception is limited to the work injuries chapter alone, and the provisions on preventing work hazards and major accidents, including Article 131, remain in force for all establishments.
When is the employer directly bound for the injured worker's treatment costs?
When the establishment is not subject to the occupational hazards branch of the Social Insurance Law, the provisions of the chapter apply to it, including Article 133, which requires the employer to treat the worker and bear all the costs of this.
More articles on Safety and Work Injuries
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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.