MHRSD: Minimum 10-Day Paid Leave Mandatory For Employees Performing Hajj For First Time
In a statement marking the beginning of the Hajj season, the ministry clarified that the Labor Law allows employees to avail of paid leave to perform Hajj once in their service period if they have not previously performed it, provided they have completed at least two consecutive years of service at the firm.
The ministry stated that the employer has the right to determine the number of employees granted this leave annually, based on work requirements, and that these regulations safeguard the rights of all parties involved in the contractual relationship.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia Grants Expat Workers 60 Days To Avoid Being Classified As Absconders
Expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia will now have 60 days to adjust their status before being classified as absconders, under new rules introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The changes, implemented through the ministry's Qiwa platform, reshape how employers can report foreign workers as absent, part of a broader effort to formalise and digitise labour relations in the Kingdom. Under the revised system, an employer may file an absconding report only if the worker's residency permit, or Iqama, is valid for at least 60 days and the employee no longer has an active contract. Once a worker's status is changed to 'disconnected from work,' Qiwa gives them 60 days to either transfer to another employer, leave the country, or sign a new contract with their current company. If no action is taken within that period, the platform will automatically mark the worker as 'absent from work' and remove their name from the company's records, triggering notifications to both the Human Resources and Interior ministries. The system also now terminates contracts automatically once the notice period ends, regardless of whether the separation was initiated by the employer or the employee. Qiwa — a digital portal designed to streamline labour-related services — also provides free employment certificates. Current employees can download a salary certificate reflecting their status, while former employees can request a service certificate documenting previous roles. These official documents, the ministry says, are intended to strengthen résumés and improve job prospects in the Saudi labour market.
Gulf Insider
4 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: Qiwa Sets 60-Day Window Before Reporting Worker As Absent Under New Contract Rules
Qiwa platform has introduced updates to the employment contract system that impact how employers can report workers as 'absent from work.' According to the platform, an employer can only submit such a request if the worker's residency permit (Iqama) is valid for at least 60 days and the worker has no active employment contract at the time of the request. Once a worker's status changes to 'disconnected from work,' they are given a 60-day window to choose one of the following options: transfer to another employer, exit the Kingdom, or re-contract with the same company. If no action is taken within this period, the worker will automatically be marked as 'absent from work' and removed from the company's records. The updated system also stipulates that if the notice period in a work contract ends — whether by the employer's or worker's decision — and the contractual relationship concludes, the contract will be marked as 'terminated.' Failure by the worker to take further action within the grace period will result in an automatic notification to relevant authorities at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior. The Ministry previously clarified that Qiwa enables workers to obtain free salary definition certificates through the 'Qiwa Individuals' account. If the worker is currently employed, the certificate will reflect current employment information. For past experience, workers can request a service certificate documenting previous roles. To access this feature, workers must log into their Qiwa Individuals account, navigate to services, select 'Employment Certificates,' and follow the steps to generate either a salary certificate or a certificate of service. The platform also supports enhancing CVs and increasing job competitiveness through official documentation of professional experience.
Gulf Insider
05-07-2025
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Introduces Lottery System For 1447 AH Hajj Registration Through Sahel Platform
Kuwait's Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MoIA) has announced new registration procedures for the 1447 AH Hajj season, introducing a lottery-based system designed to ensure transparency and equal opportunity for pilgrims. The decision, outlined in an official circular issued last Wednesday, follows recommendations from the Supreme Hajj and Umrah Committee during its first meeting of the Islamic year. The new system will be implemented through Kuwait's unified e-government platform, Sahel, and will remain open across multiple phases until all applicants are processed. Registrants will retain their lottery ranking throughout the process until they are selected and confirm participation. Under the revised framework, only Kuwaiti nationals who have not previously performed Hajj will be eligible to apply. Each applicant may register in a group of up to five relatives, and women may include one mahram (male guardian) who has already completed Hajj. One resident relative may also be added to each group. To initiate the application, registrants must pay a non-refundable fee of 10 Kuwaiti dinars. Successful applicants will then be required to pay 1,500 Kuwaiti dinars (around $4,900) to secure their spot. Failure to meet the payment deadline will result in automatic cancellation. Pilgrims will be allowed a one-time campaign change prior to January 15, 2026, depending on availability. The replacement candidate, selected based on lottery rank, will have three days to complete payment. Cancellations made before January 18, 2026, will be eligible for a refund; cancellations beyond that date will forfeit the full amount. The MoIA emphasised that notifications and application updates will be communicated exclusively via the Sahel platform. Additional circulars will be issued in the coming months, detailing payment procedures and firm registration deadlines.
