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National Legal Frameworks

Saudi Arabia’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law is the most significant piece of legislation pertaining to this crime in the Kingdom. The law is relevant to any case in which there is the, “Use, recruitment, transportation, harboring or receipt of a person for the purpose of exploitation.” (14 July 2009)

In addition, there are several other laws, regulations, and ministerial decisions which play a role in the fight to prevent trafficking by regulating labor practices. These include the following:

  • The Labor Law outlines labor regulations and practices in the Kingdom (27 September 2005)
  • MHRSD's Rules of Recruitment Activities and Provision of Labor Services provide best practice and minimum recruitment standards for recruitment agencies and labor supply companies (8 August 2018)
  • Ministerial Decision No. 178743 includes tables of violations and penalties for labor violations (31 May 2019)
  • Internal Circular No. 10923 familiarizes labor inspectors with indicators of trafficking to be aware of during field visits and how to file and refer cases to relevant departments if such indicators are detected. Indicators include exposing workers to direct sunlight and retention of passports or other documents. (9 October 2019)
  • Ministerial Decision 146652 contains the implementing regulations of the Labor Law in regard to regulating contractual relationship (4 May 2020)
  • MHRSD's Regulations on Domestic Workers establishes responsibilities and obligations of domestic workers and their employers (19 July 2020)
  • Internal Circular No. 65551 regulates the granting of temporary work permits and the issuance of temporary permits for workers identified as potential trafficking victims (20 October 2020)
  • Ministerial Decision 146652 relates to the regulation of wages and working hours (1 June 2020)