Article 117 of the Saudi Labour Law gives a worker with a proven illness paid sick leave each year.
The rule
| Days in one year | Pay |
|---|---|
| First 30 days | Full wage |
| Next 60 days | Three quarters of the wage |
| Next 30 days | Unpaid |
That is up to 120 days of sick leave in a year, whether taken at once or in parts. You need a medical report, normally through an approved provider.
Worked example
Wage SAR 6,000, so a day is SAR 200. A worker is off sick for 50 days in a year.
- First 30 days: 30 × SAR 200 = SAR 6,000
- Next 20 days at 75%: 20 × SAR 150 = SAR 3,000
- Total sick pay: SAR 9,000
Your job is protected
An employer cannot end your contract because of illness before you have used your full sick leave entitlement. If the illness continues beyond it, the employer may end the contract, and your end of service award is still due.
Sick leave and other rights
- Sick leave does not come out of your annual leave.
- Sick days are not counted in your probation period.
Read more in the Saudi annual leave guide and the Saudi probation guide. If your job ends, check your dues with the Saudi final settlement calculator.
Sources
- Saudi Labour Law (Royal Decree M/51), as amended with effect from February 2025
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)
- Qiwa
Want the exact figure for your case?
Check your end of service award