Article 9 of the Saudi Security Guard Law
المادة 9 من نظام الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة
The article required guard companies existing when the Law was issued to terminate non-Saudi employees and replace them with Saudis within 90 days of the Law taking effect, under a joint committee's follow-up.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على المؤسسات والشركات القائمة حاليا بالحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة إنهاء خدمات العاملين بها من غير السعوديين، وإحلال سعوديين محلهم، خلال تسعين يوما من تاريخ العمل بهذا النظام، وتكون لذلك لجنة من مندوبين من إمارة المنطقة أو المحافظة ومندوبين من الشرطة والجوازات ومكتب العمل؛ لمتابعة تطبيق هذا الحكم.
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
This is a transitional article that deals with establishments and companies that were already providing private civil security guard service when the Law was issued, and requires them to Saudize.
The article has three elements:
- The obligation: those establishments and companies must terminate the services of their non-Saudi employees and replace them with Saudis.
- The deadline: within 90 days from the date the Law takes effect, that is, from the date it comes into force rather than the date it was issued.
- Follow-up: a committee is formed of representatives of the emirate of the region or governorate, and representatives of the police, the passports department and the labor office, to follow up the application of this provision.
The article addresses the establishments and companies existing when the Law was issued, and it does not deal with those licensed afterwards.
The article does not describe the procedures for terminating services or the rights of employees whose services are terminated; these are matters this Law does not address.
If you have a specific case, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in labor and administrative matters.
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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Frequently asked questions about Article 9 of the Saudi Security Guard Law
What deadline did the Law give existing guard companies to replace non-Saudis with Saudis?
90 days from the date the Law takes effect.
Who follows up the replacement of non-Saudis with Saudis in guard companies?
A committee of representatives of the emirate of the region or governorate and representatives of the police, the passports department and the labor office.
More articles on Security Guards and Their Training
- Article 3
The article allows required entities and others to contract directly with licensed Saudi guards, and requires required entities to set up a security department if their guards number more than 20.
يجوز للجهات الملزمة بوضع الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة ، ولمن يطلبها من غير الملزمين بها – سواء كان فردا أو مجموعة أو منشأة – التعاقد المباشر مع أفراد سعوديين
- Article 5
The article requires all employees of guard companies and establishments, and all security guards, to be Saudis, and refers the guards' tasks and conditions to the Regulations.
يشترط أن يكون جميع العاملين في شركات ومؤسسات الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة من السعوديين، كما يشترط أن يكون الحراس الأمنيون المدنيون سعوديين. وتحدد اللائحة مهما
- Article 6
The article requires licensed guard establishments and companies to train and qualify guards to perform their duties as specified by the Regulations.
تلتزم المؤسسة أو الشركة المرخص لها بالعمل في مجال الحراسة الأمنية المدنية الخاصة بتدريب الحراس وتأهيلهم لأداء واجباتهم وفق ما تحدده اللائحة.
- Article 8
The article requires security guards to wear the uniform set by the entity they work for, as the Regulations provide.
يلتزم الحراس بارتداء الزي الذي تحدده الجهة التي يعملون لديها وفق ما تقضي به اللائحة.
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.