Saudi labor ministry clarifies annual leave rules and deferral conditions

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has provided clarifications on annual leave regulations, reaffirming workers' rights and stipulating conditions for deferral. According to the Labor Law, employees retain the right to annual leave, with the option to defer it only under specific circumstances. Generally, workers are expected to take their annual leave within the year it is due, although employers may grant permission to defer all or part of it to the subsequent year with their approval.

Should the employer deem work conditions a reason for deferral, they can postpone the leave for a maximum of 90 days following the conclusion of the entitlement period. If this deferral extends beyond 90 days, the employee's written consent becomes necessary. It is emphasized that such deferral cannot surpass the end of the year following the one in which the leave was originally due.

The ministry also outlined that employees are entitled to a minimum of 21 days of annual leave, with an increase to 30 days after five consecutive years of employment with the same employer.