Maternity & Paternity Leave
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions.
Saudi National Law
What is this right?
The Labour Law provides paid leave for new parents:
- Maternity leave: Female employees get 70 days of paid maternity leave — she can start it up to 4 weeks before the expected delivery date.
- Maternity pay: Full pay if she has worked for one year or more; half pay if less than one year.
- Extended leave: After maternity leave, a mother can take up to 1 month unpaid additional leave (extendable to 2 months with a medical report).
- Nursing breaks: After returning to work, a nursing mother gets one hour per day for breastfeeding, counted as working time, for up to 24 months after delivery.
- Paternity leave: Male employees get 3 days of paid leave upon the birth of a child.
- Job protection: It is illegal to terminate a female employee during maternity leave or for pregnancy-related reasons.
When does it apply?
- You are a female employee expecting a child or who has recently given birth.
- You are a male employee whose wife has given birth.
- Both Saudi and expatriate employees are entitled to these benefits.
What should you do?
- Notify your employer in advance and provide a medical certificate with the expected delivery date.
- Submit your leave request in writing per your company's HR policy.
- If your employer refuses maternity leave or threatens termination, file a complaint with MHRSD.
- Keep copies of all medical documents and leave approvals.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not skip the medical certificate — your employer needs documentation to process the leave.
- Do not accept termination during maternity leave — this is illegal under the Labour Law.
- Do not waive your nursing break rights — these are protected by law for up to 24 months.
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