Article 231 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 231 من نظام العمل · الباب الخامس عشر: العقوبات
The article requires the violator to remove the violation within a period set by the Implementing Regulations, and failure to remove it within that period counts as a new violation.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
يلزم مرتكب المخالفة بإزالة المخالفة خلال مهلة تحددها اللائحة، وفي حالة عدم إزالتها تعد مخالفة جديدة.
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 231 explained in plain English
This article does not stop at punishing the violator; it also requires him to correct the violating situation. Whoever commits a violation of the Labor Law must remove it, that is, end the violating situation and bring the matter back into line with the Law.
The article rests on two points:
- A period for removal: The violator is given a period to remove the violation. The article does not specify its length but leaves it to the Implementing Regulations.
- The effect of not removing it: If the period expires and the violator has not removed the violation, that counts as a new violation.
Thus a violator who leaves the violation in place after the period expires is treated as having committed a new violation.
The article is not limited to a particular type of violation; it addresses whoever commits a violation in general. It also does not state the amount of the penalty for the new violation, nor who sets the period in each case, and simply refers to the Implementing Regulations.
To find out the length of the period in a particular case, or the effect of failing to remove the violation on a specific establishment, refer to the Implementing Regulations or to a lawyer specializing in the Labor Law.
Practical example
A violation of a provision of the Labor Law is recorded against a company in Riyadh. In addition to the penalty, the company must remove the violation within the period set by the Implementing Regulations. If the period ends and the company has not corrected the situation, this counts as a new violation against it.
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 231 of the Saudi Labor Law
Is paying the fine enough to end a violation under the Labor Law?
No. The article requires the violator to remove the violation within a period set by the Implementing Regulations.
What period is given to remove a Labor Law violation?
The article does not specify the length of the period and leaves it to the Implementing Regulations.
What happens if the violator does not remove the violation within the period?
By the article's text, failing to remove it counts as a new violation.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/46 — 5/6/1436 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
تم تعديل هذه المادة ونقلها لتكون (الحادية والثلاثين بعد المائتين) بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم ( م/ 46) وتاريخ 5 / 6 / 1436 هـ ؛ بالنص الآتي :
"المادة الحادية والثلاثون بعد المائتين :
يلزم مرتكب المخالفة بإزالة المخالفة خلال مهلة تحددها اللائحة، وفي حالة عدم إزالتها تعد مخالفة جديدة".
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
إذا تكررت المخالفة خلال تسعين يومًا أو لم يقم المخالف بتصحيح مخالفته خلال المدة المعينة تضاعف الغرامة.
Earlier text under the same number
This article was renumbered by the amendments; the same number previously held the following text before it was repealed.
Repealed text (Arabic)
يعاقب كل من يخالف أحكام المواد السادسة عشرة، والخامسة والعشرين، والثالثة والثلاثين، والسابعة والثلاثين، والثامنة والثلاثين من هذا النظام بغرامة لا تقل عن ألفي ريال ولا تزيد على خمسة آلاف ريال، وتتعدد الغرامة بقدر عدد العمال الذين وقعت المخالفة بشأنهم.
More articles on Penalties and Fines
- Article 39Amended by M/44
Article 39 prevents a worker from working for anyone other than their employer or on their own account, and prevents an employer from employing another's worker, except by following the statutory rules and procedures, and regulates inspection and referral between the two ministries.
لايجوز -بغير اتباع القواعد والإجراءات النظامية المقررة- أن يترك صاحب العمل عامله يعمل لدى الغير أو يعمل لحسابه الخاص، ولايجوز للعامل أن يعمل لدى صاحب عمل آخر أو
- Article 196Amended by M/44
Article 196 sets the six competences of labor inspectors: monitoring implementation of the Law, guiding employers and workers, reporting deficiencies, recording violations, verifying referred violations, and proposing fines.
يختص مفتشو العمل بما يأتي: 1- مراقبة تنفيذ أحكام هذا النظام واللائحة والقرارات الصادرة تنفيذاً له. 2- تزويد أصحاب العمل والعمال بالمعلومات والإرشادات الفنية الت
- Article 229Amended (1436 AH)
Article 229 sets the general penalties for violating the Labor Law, its Regulations and decisions: a fine up to SAR 100,000 or temporary or permanent closure of the establishment, with doubling for repeat offenses and fines multiplied by the number of workers.
1 – مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب كل من يخل بأي حكم من أحكام هذا النظام أو لائحته أو القرارات الصادرة تنفيذا له، بعقوبة أو أكثر من العق
- Article 229 bisAmended by M/44
The article imposes a fine of SAR 200,000 to SAR 500,000 on anyone who engages in recruiting Saudis, recruiting foreign workers, or outsourcing without a license from the Ministry.
يعاقب بغرامة لا تقل عن (200,000) مائتي ألف ريال ولا تزيد على (500,000) خمسمائة ألف ريال؛ كل من يخالف أحكام الفقرة (1) من المادة (الثلاثين) من هذا النظام، وذلك د
- Article 230Amended by M/44
Article 230 sets the Ministry's power to impose a fine or temporary closure up to half the maximum, refers the more serious violations to the court, and allows grievance and settlement.
1 – للوزارة – بقرار من الوزير أو من ينيبه – إيقاع العقوبتين أو إحداهما المنصوص عليهما في الفقرتين الفرعيتين (أ) و(ب) من الفقرة (1) من المادة (التاسعة والعشرين ب
- Article 232Amended (1436 AH)
Fines under the Labor Law are collected under the procedures for collecting public funds, and the amounts go to the Human Resources Development Fund.
يتم تحصيل الغرامات المقررة بموجب هذا النظام، وفقاً للإجراءات المتبعة في تحصيل الأموال العامة، وتؤول المبالغ إلى صندوق تنمية الموارد البشرية.
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.