Article 94 of the Saudi Labor Law
المادة 94 من نظام العمل · الباب السادس: شروط العمل وظروفه
Article 94 gives a worker the right to turn to the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority to recover wages deducted without right or to collect late wages, with the employer liable to a fine of up to twice the amount.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- إذا حسم من أجر العامل أي مبلغ لسبب غير ما هو منصوص عليه في هذا النظام بغير موافقته الكتابية، أو تأخر صاحب العمل عن أداء أجر العامل في موعد استحقاقه المحدد نظامًا دون مسوغ مشروع كان للعامل أو لمن يمثله أو مدير مكتب العمل المختص أن يتقدم بطلب إلى هيئة تسوية الخلافات العمالية، كي تأمر صاحب العمل أن يرد إلى العامل ما حسمه دون وجه حق، أو يدفع له أجوره المتأخرة.
2 - يجوز للهيئة المذكورة إذا ثبت لديها أن صاحب العمل حسم المبالغ المذكورة أو تأخر في سداد الأجر دون مسوغ أن توقع عليه غرامة لا تتجاوز ضعف ما حسم من أجر العامل أو ضعف قيمة الأجر المتأخر.
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 94 explained in plain English
Article 94 of the Labor Law protects the worker's wage in two specific situations and explains what the worker can do if either occurs:
- Unlawful deduction: the employer deducts an amount from the wage for a reason not provided for in the Labor Law, without the worker's written consent. Oral consent is not enough; the only permitted deductions are those the law provides for or those the worker agreed to in writing.
- Delay in wages: the employer is late in paying the wage on the due date set by law, without a legitimate justification.
Who may apply? Not only the worker; the article permits the worker, their representative, or the director of the competent labor office to do so. The application is submitted to the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority.
What can the Authority order?
- Requiring the employer to return to the worker the amount it deducted without right.
- Or requiring it to pay the late wages.
The additional fine: if it is established to the Authority that the deduction or delay occurred without justification, it may, in addition to ordering the return or payment, impose on the employer a fine not exceeding twice the amount deducted or twice the value of the late wage. This fine is discretionary; that is, the Authority decides whether to impose it and in what amount within this cap.
Relationship with neighboring articles: even a lawful deduction has an upper limit under Article 93: it may not exceed half of the wage due unless it is established before the Authority that it can be increased, and if the worker's need for more than half of their wage is established, the worker is not given more than three quarters of it. If the dispute concerns a wage that was not set in the contract or in the work organization regulations, Article 95 explains how that wage is assessed, ending with the Authority's assessment of it according to the requirements of fairness.
A worker facing a deduction or delay is advised to keep payslips and correspondence and to consult a labor lawyer to assess their particular situation.
Practical example
Ahmed works for a contracting company in Riyadh on a monthly salary of SAR 6,000. In one month, the company deducted SAR 1,500 from his salary for administrative fees not provided for by law, without any written consent from him, and it was also a full month late in paying the following month's salary without justification. Ahmed, his representative, or the director of the competent labor office may apply to the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority for an order requiring the company to return the SAR 1,500 and pay the late salary, and if the Authority finds there was no justification, it may impose on the company a fine not exceeding twice the amount deducted or twice the late wage.
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 94 of the Saudi Labor Law
What should I do if my employer deducts from my salary without my consent?
If the deduction is for a reason not provided for in the Labor Law and without your written consent, you, your representative or the director of the competent labor office may apply to the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority to order the employer to return what it deducted without right.
What is the penalty for late salaries under Article 94 of the Saudi Labor Law?
If it is established to the Authority that the employer was late in paying the wage without legitimate justification, it orders the employer to pay the late wages, and it may impose a fine not exceeding twice the value of the late wage.
Can an employer deduct from salary if the worker agreed orally?
The article requires written consent for deductions for reasons not provided for in the law, so oral consent does not protect the employer from a request for return and a fine.
Who can file a complaint about a deduction or late wages?
The worker personally, their representative, or the director of the competent labor office may apply to the Labor Disputes Settlement Authority.
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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.