Article 14 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
المادة 14 من نظام التأمين ضد التعطل عن العمل
The Article sets the work periods under the Law required for compensation the first, second, third and later times, and when a claim counts as a new entitlement.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يستحق المستفيد التعويض إذا عمل في عمل خاضع لهذا النظام وفقا للآتي:
1 - التعويض للمرة الأولى إذا عمل مدة لا تقل عن اثني عشر شهراً خلال الستة والثلاثين شهراً التي تسبق المطالبة الأولى.
2 - التعويض للمرة الثانية إذا عمل مرة أخرى مدة لا تقل عن ثمانية عشر شهراً خلال الستة والثلاثين شهراً التي تسبق المطالبة الثانية.
3 - التعويض للمرة الثالثة إذا عمل مرة أخرى مدة لا تقل عن أربعة وعشرين شهراً خلال الستة والثلاثين شهراً التي تسبق المطالبة الثالثة.
4 - التعويض في أي مرة لاحقة إذا عمل مرة أخرى مدة لا تقل عن ستة وثلاثين شهراً خلال الثمانية والأربعين شهراً التي تسبق المطالبة الأخيرة.
ولأغراض هذه المادة، تعد المطالبة بالتعويض لمرة جديدة كلما صرف للمستفيد تعويض للمدة القصوى المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة عشرة) من هذا النظام.
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 14 explained in plain English
This Article details the work-period completion condition in Article 8, and makes the required period increase with each repeated claim. The work must be in work covered by this Law:
- The first time: working for a period of not less than 12 months within the 36 months before the first claim.
- The second time: working again for a period of not less than 18 months within the 36 months before the second claim.
- The third time: working again for a period of not less than 24 months within the 36 months before the third claim.
- Any later time: working again for a period of not less than 36 months within the 48 months before the latest claim.
When is a claim a new entitlement? The Article provides that a claim counts as a new entitlement whenever the beneficiary has been paid compensation for the maximum period set in Article 13, which is 12 months, continuous or not, for each entitlement, and no more than 12 months within any 24 consecutive months starting from the first payment.
The apparent reason for the gradual increase is that someone who is repeatedly unemployed needs a longer period of work before benefiting again. This remains one of the Article 8 conditions, all of which must be met. Anyone unsure how their work period is counted should consult a lawyer specialized in social insurance.
Practical example
Yousef received compensation for a full 12 months the first time, then returned to work at an establishment covered by the Law in Qassim. If he becomes unemployed again and wants to claim a second time, he must have worked at least 18 months within the 36 months before his second claim.
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 14 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
How long must I work to get unemployment compensation the first time?
At least 12 months within the 36 months before the first claim.
Can I get unemployment compensation more than once?
Yes, provided you complete longer work periods: 18 months for the second time, 24 months within 36 months for the third, and 36 months within 48 months for any later time.
When is a claim counted as a new entitlement?
Whenever the beneficiary has been paid compensation for the maximum period set in Article 13.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Eligibility for Unemployment Compensation
- Article 8
The Article lists the conditions a subscriber must meet to receive unemployment compensation, including Saudi nationality, completing work periods and not leaving work voluntarily.
1 - يحق للمشترك الحصول على التعويض المنصوص عليه في هذا النظام إذا توافرت لديه الشروط الآتية: أ - أن يكون سعودي الجنسية. ب - أن يكمل المدد المحددة في المادة (الر
- Article 9
The Article makes compensation payable from the first day of the month after the Article 8 conditions are met, provided registration was made within the period in Article 10.
يستحق المستفيد التعويض اعتباراً من أول الشهر التالي لتاريخ توافر الشروط المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثامنة) من هذا النظام، بشرط أن يكون التسجيل قد تم خلال الفترة
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.