Article 234 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 234 من نظام العمل · الباب الخامس عشر: العقوبات
Labor courts do not accept a claim for labor rights filed more than 12 months after the employment relationship ends, unless the court accepts an excuse or the defendant admits the right; labor cases are heard urgently.
Text of the added article (Arabic)
This article was added to the law by Royal Decree No. M/14 dated 22/2/1440 AH.
أ- لا تقبل أمام المحاكم العمالية أي دعوى تتعلق بالمطالبة بحق من الحقوق المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام أو الناشئة عن عقد العمل بعد مضي اثني عشر شهاً من تاريخ انتهاء علاقة العمل، ما لم يقدم المدعي عذراً تقبله المحكمة، أو يصدر من المدعى عليه إقرار بالحق.
ب- تنظر الدعاوى العمالية على وجه الاستعجال.
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 234 explained in plain English
This article contains two important rules for every worker or employer who has a claim arising from work.
First: the time limit for filing a case (paragraph a)
Labor courts do not accept any case claiming a right provided for in the Labor Law or arising from the employment contract if it is filed after 12 months from the date the employment relationship ended. This covers both the rights provided for in the Law and the rights arising from the employment contract.
Two cases are excepted, in which the case is accepted despite the passage of the period:
- The claimant presents an excuse that the court accepts; assessing the excuse is for the court.
- The defendant makes an admission of the right.
The period runs from the date the employment relationship ended, so a person whose relationship with the employer has ended and who has dues should be mindful of this period and not delay the claim.
Second: speed of hearing (paragraph b)
Labor cases are heard urgently; the article does not set a specific period for deciding them.
The amendment history of this article shows Royal Decree No. M/14 dated 22/2/1440 AH.
Because the calculation of the period and the acceptance of an excuse depend on the facts, anyone approaching the end of the period or past it is advised to consult a lawyer specializing in the Labor Law.
Practical example
Ahmed's relationship with a company in Riyadh has ended, and he still has unpaid dues. If he files his case before the labor court after 12 months from the date the employment relationship ended, his case will not be accepted unless he presents an excuse the court accepts, or the company admits his right.
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 234 of the Saudi Labor Law
What is the time limit for filing a labor case after leaving a job?
The case is not accepted after 12 months from the date the employment relationship ended, unless the claimant presents an excuse the court accepts or the defendant admits the right.
Is a claim for labor rights lost after one year?
The article provides that labor courts do not accept the case after 12 months from the end of the employment relationship, with two exceptions: an excuse the court accepts and the defendant's admission of the right.
From when is the twelve-month period counted?
It is counted from the date the employment relationship ended.
Are labor cases heard quickly?
Yes. The article provides that labor cases are heard urgently, without setting a specific period.
Amendment history
Royal Decree No. M/14 — 22/2/1440 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
- إضافة مادة تحمل الرقم ( الرابعة والثلاثون بعد المائتين ) ليكون النص كالآتي:
" أ- لا تقبل أمام المحاكم العمالية أي دعوى تتعلق بالمطالبة بحق من الحقوق المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام أو الناشئة عن عقد العمل بعد مضي اثني عشر شهاً من تاريخ انتهاء علاقة العمل، ما لم يقدم المدعي عذراً تقبله المحكمة، أو يصدر من المدعى عليه إقرار بالحق.
ب- تنظر الدعاوى العمالية على وجه الاستعجال."
وأضيفت هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (م/14) وتاريخ 1440/2/22هـ
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 صاحب العمل أو أي شخص مسؤول عن مخالفة أحكام الفصل الثاني والفصل الثالث والفصل الرابع من الباب السادس من هذا النظام أو أي قرارات تصدر بمقتضاه بغرامة لا تقل عن ألفي ريال ولا تزيد على خمسة آلاف ريال عن كل مخالفة.
More articles on Labor Disputes
- Article 72Amended by M/44
Article 72 requires notifying the worker in writing of a sanction decision, gives them 30 days to submit a grievance to the employer, then 30 days to object before the labor courts if the grievance is rejected or not decided within 15 days.
يجب أن يبلغ العامل بقرار توقيع الجزاء عليه كتابة، فإذا امتنع عن الاستلام أو كان غائباً فيرسل البلاغ بكتاب مسجل على عنوانه المبين في ملفه، وله التظلم كتابة للجهة
- Article 235Amended (1440 AH)
While a case is pending before the labor courts, the article bars the employer from changing the terms of employment in force before the proceedings began, in a way that harms the worker's position in the case.
لا يجوز لصاحب العمل أثناء نظر الدعوى أمام المحاكم العمالية أن يغير من شروط التشغيل التي كانت سارية قبل بدء الإجراءات، تغييراً يترتب عليه الإضرار بموقف العامل في
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.