Ramadan is anticipated to start on February 19, 2026, subject to the sighting of the new crescent moon. It is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and a period of fasting, worship, and spiritual development.
Shifting Sands of Labor Law
YOUR SOURCE FOR MIDDLE EAST HR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATES
Saudi Arabia has recently introduced changes to the way certain job titles are allocated to expatriate workers, prompting some questions from employers. The changes, implemented through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s Qiwa platform, form part of the Kingdom’s ongoing labour market reforms and Saudization strategy. While initial reports suggested a sweeping restriction on expatriates holding senior commercial roles—particularly the title of general manager—subsequent clarification from Qiwa confirms that the position remains open to non-Saudis, subject to specific regulatory conditions.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Ministry) is rolling out a new enforceable version of the standard form employment contract issued via the Ministry’s Qiwa portal. The roll out integrates the wages clause contained in the Qiwa contract with the Ministry of Justice’s legal services portal, Najiz, enabling an employee to directly enforce the payment terms without having to initiate a claim through the Labour Courts.
The third in our multipart Navigating Employment Law in the Middle East webinar series considered the applicable employment regulations and immigration processes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Be sure to join us for our next webinar taking place on December 9 looking at the applicable law and processes in the United Arab Emirates.