Article 27 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
المادة 27 من نظام التأمين ضد التعطل عن العمل
The Article provides that the Social Insurance Law applies to matters the Unemployment Insurance Law does not address, to the extent consistent with its nature.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
فيما لم يرد به نص في هذا النظام، يطبق نظام التأمينات الاجتماعية بالقدر الذي يتفق مع طبيعة 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 27 explained in plain English
This Article sets a gap-filling rule for the Law: if a matter arises on which the Unemployment Insurance Law has no provision, the Social Insurance Law applies.
But this application is limited: it is to the extent consistent with the nature of this Law. So not every provision of the Social Insurance Law is carried over automatically, only what suits the nature and purpose of unemployment insurance, which is compensating subscribers who are unemployed.
Why this link? Because Article 2 makes unemployment insurance a branch of social insurance, so it is natural for its parent law to be a fallback reference for it. The two laws are also linked elsewhere, including:
- Those who are mandatorily subject to the pensions branch are subject to this Law, under Article 3.
- Compensation may be combined with specified compensations under the Social Insurance Law, under Article 19.
The order of application: the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Law itself and its Implementing Regulations are looked at first, and if there is no provision, the Social Insurance Law is referred to, to the suitable extent.
Deciding whether a particular provision of the Social Insurance Law is consistent with the nature of this Law is a matter of judgment, and anyone who needs it in a specific case should consult a lawyer specialized in social insurance.
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 27 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law
What is the reference for matters the Unemployment Insurance Law does not address?
The Social Insurance Law applies, to the extent consistent with the nature of the Unemployment Insurance Law.
Do all provisions of the Social Insurance Law apply to unemployment insurance?
No. They apply only to matters without a provision, and to the extent consistent with the nature of this Law.
More articles on Persons Covered by Unemployment Insurance
- Article 2
The article makes unemployment insurance a branch of social insurance that ensures compensation for subscribers who are out of work, under the Law's provisions.
يعد التأمين ضد التعطل عن العمل فرعاً من فروع التأمينات الاجتماعية، ويكفل تقديم التعويض للمشتركين المتعطلين عن العمل وفق الأحكام المحددة بموجبه.
- Article 3
The article applies the Law compulsorily to Saudi workers without discrimination of sex if under 59 when it starts to apply to them, and stops a subscriber's contributions at age 60.
1- يطبق النظام بصورة إلزامية على جميع العمال السعوديين دون أي تمييز في الجنس، بشرط أن تكون سن العامل عند بدء تطبيق النظام عليه دون سن التاسعة والخمسين. 2- إذا ب
- Article 4
The article requires employers to apply the Law and the Regulations from the day the conditions are met, and refers the way employers and subscribers register with the Organization to the Regulations.
1- يلتزم أصحاب العمل بتطبيق هذا النظام واللائحة، ويبدأ التطبيق من اليوم الذي تكتمل فيه الشروط المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام واللائحة. 2- تحدد اللائحة طريقة التسجي
- Article 17
The Article provides that the subscriber's age is determined by their birth certificate or the certificate issued by the competent authority under the law.
تحدد سن المشترك بشهادة ميلاده أو بالشهادة التي تصدرها الجهة المختصة نظاماً.
- Article 26
The Article voids any agreement or settlement that contradicts the Law, made by those it covers, if it would harm subscribers' rights or impose additional obligations on them.
كل اتفاقٍ أو تسويةٍ تخالف أحكام هذا النظام وتصدر ممن يشملهم، تُعدُّ باطلة إذا كان من شأنها أن تضر بحقوق المشتركين أو تحملهم التزامات إضافية.
- Article 28
The Article requires the Minister to issue the Implementing Regulations with the Board of Directors' approval within 60 days of the Law's publication, and to publish them in the Official Gazette.
يصدر الوزير اللائحة - بناءً على موافقة مجلس الإدارة - خلال ستين يوماً من تاريخ نشر هذا النظام، وتنشر في الجريدة الرسمية.
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.

