what is article 81 in Saudi labor law? It is an essential question for any employee or employer in Saudi Arabia. Article 81 is a powerful legal safeguard that gives employees the right to resign and terminate their employment contract immediately without prior notice or financial penalty when facing serious violations.
It aims to protect workers from unfair treatment, ensure workplace safety, and maintain balance between employer authority and employee rights. Understanding Article 81 is vital for recognizing situations where immediate resignation is legally justified, protecting entitlements, and navigating the complaint process to secure justice and maintain professional dignity.
المحتويات
What is Article 81 in Saudi Labor Law?
Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law protects the rights of employees and allows them to leave their job immediately without prior notice or paying compensation to the employer if they face specific violations. This provision aims to ensure a fair and safe work environment that preserves employee dignity and maintains balance in the contractual relationship between both parties.
The situations in which an employee may terminate the contract without notice under Article 81 include:
- The employer fails to fulfill the terms of the contract, such as delaying or not paying wages or breaching agreed working conditions.
- The employer provided misleading or false information about the job conditions or nature of work at the time of contracting.
- Assigning the employee tasks that are fundamentally different from those agreed upon in the contract.
- The employee or their family is subjected to any physical or verbal abuse by the employer or their representatives.
- The employee is exposed to mistreatment or conditions that force them to leave, including breaches of the contract.
- Being encouraged or pressured to perform unlawful or illegal acts.
- Facing harsh, humiliating, or exploitative treatment.
- The workplace poses a serious risk to the employee’s health or safety, and the employer, despite being aware, fails to address it.
Article 81 serves as a balanced legal framework that protects employees when exposed to injustice or violations while also supporting workplace stability and safeguarding the employer’s rights.
Read also: Saudi Labor Law Resignation Guide 2025 – Etqan Law Firm
What is Article 81 Saudi Labor Law for Resignation?
Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law is a legal provision that protects employees who face serious violations from their employer and gives them the right to resign and terminate their employment contract immediately without prior notice or compensation. This article is particularly important for safeguarding workers’ rights and ensuring a fair work environment when resignation becomes necessary due to mistreatment or breach of contract.
Under Article 81, an employee can resign and still retain all financial and legal entitlements if exposed to any of the following situations:
- Mistreatment or humiliation: discrimination based on nationality, religion, or race, repeated verbal abuse, or unfair reduction of salary or benefits.
- Failure to fulfill essential obligations: delayed salary payments over 30 days, denial of due annual or sick leave, or unsafe working conditions.
- Physical or verbal assault: any act of violence, threats, or harassment by the employer or their representatives.
- Fraud or deception: misleading the employee about the job role, salary, or benefits, or changing the work location without consent.
- Pressure to resign: unjust transfers, demotions, unreasonable tasks, or hostile treatment aimed at forcing the employee to quit.
- Dangerous work environment: known safety hazards or exposure to harmful substances without proper protection.
If any of these conditions occur, the employee should document the violations, notify the employer, and if unresolved, proceed with filing a claim at the Labor Office or Labor Court to protect their rights and receive full entitlements.
Check out: Article 84 Saudi Labour Law: Guide to Gratuity Calculations
Steps to File a Complaint Under Article (81) of the Saudi Labor Law
If you wish to file a complaint based on Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law, follow these legal steps to protect your rights and support your case:
- Collect and Document Evidence
Gather all proof supporting your claim, including emails, witness statements from colleagues, official medical reports if you suffered an injury due to unsafe work conditions, as well as photos or videos when available. - Submit the Complaint to the Competent Authority
File your complaint with the Labor Office responsible for your workplace area. Include your personal information, the employer’s details, the establishment’s address, the type of contract, and a detailed description of the violations with specific dates. Attach all supporting evidence. You can file the complaint electronically through the Ministry of Human Resources’ online platform or submit a written request in person. - Follow Up on the Case
Stay in contact with the Labor Office to track the progress of your complaint. They may request additional documents or clarifications during the investigation process. - Investigation and Hearing
The Labor Office will investigate the complaint, summon both the employee and the employer to present their statements and witnesses, review the submitted evidence, and issue a report with findings and recommended actions. - Appeal to the Labor Court
If you are unsatisfied with the Labor Office’s decision, you have the right to appeal to the Labor Court. The court will re-examine the case and issue a final, binding judgment on the employer. If the employer fails to comply, you can seek assistance from the enforcement authorities to ensure the ruling is executed according to labor regulations.
Learn about: Understanding Legal Saudi Labor Law working hours
Conclusion
Knowing what is article 81 of the Saudi labor law is essential for any employee or employer who wants to protect rights and maintain fair workplace practices. By fully understanding what is article 81 of the Saudi labor law, workers can resign legally when facing serious violations and secure their entitlements. For clear guidance and professional legal support, Etqan Law Firm is ready to assist employees in filing complaints and defending their rights.
The Etqan Al Mutamayza Law Firm can provide the necessary support. You can contact their team
through the following mobile numbers: 056113776, 0541110440, 504315333
Alternatively, you can visit our branches:
- Jeddah: Al-Aziziyah District–Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Street (Tahlia)
- Riyadh: King Abdulaziz Street – In front of Kingdom
- Dammam: Al-Ashri’a Street, Al-Badeea, Dammam 32415.
FAQ
What is Article 81 in Saudi Arabia?
Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law gives employees the right to terminate their employment contract immediately without prior notice or paying compensation if the employer commits serious violations, such as not paying wages, mistreating the worker, or failing to provide safe conditions.
What is Article 81 about?
Article 81 is about protecting employees’ rights when their employer breaches essential obligations. It allows workers to resign on the spot while keeping all financial and legal entitlements if they face fraud, harassment, unsafe workplaces, or other severe abuses.
What is the notice period required by Article 81?
No notice period is required under Article 81. Employees can leave immediately once any of the qualifying violations occur, and the resignation is considered legally valid without prior warning.