Article 9 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 9 من نظام العمل · الفصل الأول: التعريفات
Article 9 requires Arabic in employment contracts, records, data and the employer's instructions, and makes the Arabic text alone the one relied on where a foreign translation exists.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
اللغة العربية هي الواجبة الاستعمال في البيانات والسجلات والملفات وعقود العمل وغيرها مما هو منصوص عليه في هذا النظام، أو في أي قرار صادر تطبيقًا لأحكامه، وكذلك التعليمات التي يصدرها صاحب العمل لعماله.
وإذا استعمل صاحب العمل لغة أجنبية إلى جانب اللغة العربية في أي من الحالات المذكورة فإن النص العربي هو المعتمد دون غيره.
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 9 explained in plain English
Article 9 of the Labor Law sets a simple general rule: Arabic is the language that must be used in everything issued or kept in the workplace in application of the law. According to the text of the article, this includes:
- The data, records and files the employer keeps.
- Employment contracts concluded with workers.
- Any other documents provided for in the law or in a decision issued in application of its provisions.
- The instructions the employer directs to his workers.
Is the use of a foreign language prohibited? No. The article allows the employer to use a foreign language alongside Arabic, which is common in establishments that employ non-Arabic-speaking workers. But the second paragraph of the article settles any possible dispute: if there is an Arabic text and a foreign text, the Arabic text alone is the one relied on. That is, the foreign translation remains only a means of understanding, and cannot be relied on if it differs from the Arabic text.
What does this mean in practice?
- The worker, especially one who does not speak Arabic, should make sure he understands the Arabic version of his contract and work instructions, because it is the authority in a dispute, and he may ask for help reading it before signing.
- The employer must draft his contracts, records and instructions in Arabic, and if he adds a translation it is preferable that it match the Arabic text to avoid confusion.
This article is among the general provisions that govern the application of the law, alongside Article 8, which voids any term contrary to the provisions of the law, and Article 10, which provides that periods and dates are calculated by the Hijri calendar unless otherwise agreed in the contract or work organization regulation. Article 9 does not set a special penalty for violating it, so where there is a dispute about the effect of drafting a contract only in a foreign language, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in labor cases.
Practical example
Raj, a worker who does not speak Arabic, signed an employment contract with a contracting company in Dammam written in Arabic with an English translation. The Arabic text of the contract provided that the monthly wage is SAR 4,000, while the English translation stated SAR 4,500 because of a translation error. When a dispute arises over the wage, Article 9 of the Labor Law applies and the Arabic text is the one relied on alone, because the foreign translation is not an authority if it conflicts with the Arabic text. It would therefore have been better for Raj to make sure the two versions matched before signing.
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 9 of the Saudi Labor Law
May an employment contract be written in a foreign language in Saudi Arabia?
Article 9 provides that Arabic is the language that must be used in employment contracts, and the employer may add a foreign language alongside Arabic, but the Arabic text is the one relied on alone.
If the English translation of an employment contract differs from the Arabic text, which applies?
The Arabic text alone applies under the second paragraph of Article 9; a foreign translation is not relied on where it conflicts with the Arabic text.
Does Article 9 cover the employer's instructions and records or only contracts?
The article covers data, records, files, employment contracts and other things provided for in the law or decisions issued in application of it, and also the instructions the employer issues to his workers.
What should I do if I do not know Arabic and my contract was signed in Arabic?
The Arabic text is the authority, so it is advisable to ask for an explanation or translation of the Arabic version before signing and to make sure it matches what was agreed, and where there is a dispute it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in labor cases.
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Article 2 defines the terms used in the Labor Law, such as worker, employer, basic and actual wage, continuous service, types of work, secondment and resignation.
يقصد بالألفاظ والعبارات الآتية -أينما وردت في هذا النظام- المعاني المبينة أمامها ما لم يقتض السياق خلاف ذلك: الوزارة: وزارة العمل. الوزير: وزير العمل. مكتب العم
- Article 8
Article 8 voids any term that contravenes the Labor Law, and any release or settlement of the worker's legal rights during the contract unless it is more beneficial to the worker.
يبطل كل شرط يخالف أحكام هذا النظام، ويبطل كل إبراء أو مصالحة عن الحقوق الناشئة للعامل بموجب هذا النظام أثناء سريان عقد العمل، ما لم يكن أكثر فائدة للعامل.
- Article 18
Employment contracts stay in force and service continues when an establishment changes ownership or legal form, and the previous and new owners are jointly liable for workers' earlier rights.
إذا انتقلت ملكية المنشأة لمالك جديد، أو طرأ تغيير على شكلها النظامي بالدمج أو التجزئة أو غير ذلك، تبقى عقود العمل نافذة في الحالين، وتعد الخدمة مستمرة. أما بالن
- Article 37Amended by M/44
Article 37 requires a non-Saudi's employment contract to be written and for a fixed term, treats its term as one year from actual commencement if not stated, and renews it for a similar term if work continues.
يجب أن يكون عقد عمل غير السعودي مكتوباً ومحدد المدة. وإذا خلا العقد من بيان مدته تعد مدته (سنة) من تاريخ مباشرة العامل الفعلية، وإذا استمر العمل بعد انتهاء هذه
- Article 50
Article 50 defines the employment contract as an agreement between an employer and a worker under which the worker undertakes to work under the employer's management or supervision for wages.
عقد العمل هو عقد مبرم بين صاحب عمل وعامل، يتعهد الأخير بموجبه أن يعمل تحت إدارة صاحب العمل أو إشرافه مقابل أجر.
- Article 51Amended by M/44
Article 51 requires the employment contract to be written in two copies and authenticated, treats the contract as existing even if unwritten, and gives the worker alone the right to prove it by all means of proof.
يجب أن يكتب عقد العمل من نسختين، يحتفظ كل من طرفيه بنسخة منه، ويجب توثيقه وفق الأحكام النظامية ذات الصلة وفي ضوء ما تحدده اللائحة، ويعد العقد قائماً ولو كان غير
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.