Saudi Labor Law on Working Hours and Overtime Hours

ACTUAL WORKING HOURS

1. An employee may not actually work for more than (8) hours a day if the employer uses the daily work criterion, or more than (48) hours a week if he uses the weekly criterion. During the month of Ramadan, the actual working hours for Muslims shall be reduced to a maximum of (6) hours a day or (36) hours a week.
2. Working hours and rest periods throughout the day shall be organized so that the employee does not work for more than five hours continually without periods designated for rest, prayers and meals no less than half an hour per period, in order that the employee shall not remain at the place of work for more than twelve hours per day.

Work may continue without rest periods in the following works:

1. The periods designated for rest, prayers and meals shall not be included in the actual working hours, during such period the employee shall not be under the control or the of the employer and the employer may not obligate the employee to remain in the place of work.
2.  The actual working hours in intermittent works as to its nature shall not exceed (10) hours a day, reduced to (8) hours in the month of Ramadan, employees shall have at least a res time not less than (10) continuous hours evert (24) hours, the employer shall enable employees to perform prayers in time.
3. Working hours for employees in Guards and janitors as (12) hours a day, reduced to (10) hours in the month of Ramadan, the employer shall enable employees to perform prayers in time
4. Time for preparatory or supplemental works which must be completed before or after commencement of work shall not exceed (30) minutes added to the working hours; (15) minutes for preparatory works, and (15) minutes for supplementary works.

OVERTIME HOURS

1. The employer shall pay the employee for overtime working hours an additional amount equal to the hourly wage plus 50% of his basic wage.
2. If the establishment is operated on the basis of weekly working hours, the hours in excess of the hours taken as the criterion shall be deemed overtime hours.
3. All working hours performed during holidays and “Eids” shall be deemed overtime hours.