Article 233 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 233 من نظام العمل · الباب الخامس عشر: العقوبات
The article allows the Minister to grant a financial reward of up to 25% of the fine collected to anyone who helps uncover violations of the Labor Law.
Text of the added article (Arabic)
This article was added to the law by Royal Decree No. M/46 dated 5/6/1436 AH.
للوزير منح مكافأة مالية لا تزيد على 25% من مبلغ الغرامة المحصلة لمن يساعد - من موظفي التفتيش أو من غيرهم - في الكشف عن أيّ من مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام ولائحته والقرارات الصادرة تنفيذاً له.
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 233 explained in plain English
This article encourages reporting and helping to uncover violations of the Labor Law by giving the Minister the power to grant a financial reward to those who help.
The main points of the article:
- Who may receive it: Anyone who helps uncover any violation of the provisions of the Law, its Implementing Regulations and the decisions issued to implement it, whether an inspection employee or someone else.
- The amount: Not more than 25% of the fine amount collected. This is a maximum; the article sets no minimum.
- Its basis: It is calculated on the fine collected, that is, the amount actually collected.
- Its nature: The article says "the Minister may" grant the reward, so it is a discretionary power of the Minister and not a guaranteed right of everyone who reports.
The article does not explain the procedures for requesting the reward or the criteria for fixing its amount within this limit. Anyone who wants to know their position in a particular case is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in the Labor Law.
Practical example
Ahmed notices that an establishment in Dammam is violating a provision of the Labor Law, helps uncover the violation, and a fine is imposed on the establishment and later collected. The Minister may grant Ahmed a financial reward, provided it does not exceed 25% of the fine amount collected; whether to grant it, and its amount within this limit, remain at the Minister's discretion.
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 233 of the Saudi Labor Law
Is there a reward for reporting Labor Law violations?
Yes. The Minister may grant a financial reward to anyone who helps uncover violations of the Law, its Implementing Regulations and the decisions issued to implement it.
How much is the reward for uncovering Labor Law violations?
It does not exceed 25% of the fine amount collected, and the article sets no minimum.
Is the reward a guaranteed right for the person who reports?
No. The article makes granting it optional for the Minister, in the words "the Minister may grant a reward".
Is the reward limited to inspection employees?
No. It is for anyone who helps uncover violations, whether an inspection employee or someone else.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/46 — 5/6/1436 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- أُضيفت هذه المادة وذلك بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/46) وتاريخ 1436/6/5هـ، لتكون بالنص الآتي:
" للوزير منح مكافأة مالية لا تزيد على 25% من مبلغ الغرامة المحصلة لمن يساعد - من موظفي التفتيش أو من غيرهم - في الكشف عن أيّ من مخالفات أحكام هذا النظام ولائحته والقرارات الصادرة تنفيذاً له."
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 حكم المادة التاسعة والثلاثين من هذا النظام بغرامة لا تقل عن خمسة آلاف ريال ولا تزيد على عشرين ألف ريال، وتتعدد الغرامة بتعدد الأشخاص الذين وقعت المخالفة بشأنهم، ويتم ترحيل العامل على حساب من وجد يعمل لديه.
More articles on Penalties and Fines
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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.
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- Article 196Amended by M/44
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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
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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 231Amended (1436 AH)
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.
يلزم مرتكب المخالفة بإزالة المخالفة خلال مهلة تحددها اللائحة، وفي حالة عدم إزالتها تعد مخالفة جديدة.
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.