Saudi labor ministry clarifies annual leave rules and deferral conditions

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has set out the regulations governing annual leave for employees, stating that the Labor Law preserves the worker’s right to annual leave, and that postponement is only permitted under specific conditions.

When can annual leave be postponed?

The ministry stated that, as a rule, employees should take their annual leave during the year it is due, but postponement is allowed under certain guidelines.

Regarding the conditions for postponement, the ministry explained that an employee may, with the employer’s approval, defer all or part of their leave to the following year. If work circumstances require, the employer may postpone the leave for up to 90 days after the end of the entitlement year.

If the postponement exceeds 90 days, written consent from the employee is required. In all cases, the deferral may not extend beyond the end of the year following the year in which the leave was due.

Duration of annual leave

The ministry clarified that the minimum annual leave for employees is 21 days, increasing to 30 days after five consecutive years with the same employer.

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