The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued Ministerial Decision no. 116264, dated 29 Sha’ban 1447 AH (17 February 2026), and an accompanying procedural guide (the Training Decision), which set clear obligations for establishments to train Saudi graduates and job seekers. The Training Decision aims to enhance performance and support employment in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Shifting Sands of Labor Law
YOUR SOURCE FOR MIDDLE EAST HR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATES
As temperatures across the Gulf sharply rise each summer, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments reintroduce the annual “midday sun” or “midday work ban” rules designed to protect outdoor workers from extreme heat exposure. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the annual midday break comes into force on 15 June and remains one of the region’s best-known seasonal labour protections.
The ongoing geopolitical events in the Middle East are creating significant operational and workforce challenges for employers across the region. While the legal framework in jurisdictions such as the UAE, KSA, and other GCC countries has not fundamentally changed in response to the current crisis, the application of existing employment laws in a crisis context raises a number of important considerations.
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.
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.