Country profile SAU
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | N/A | C182 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:2254976,103208"}] | N/A | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | In a Direct Request published in 2006, the Committee of Experts on the Application of the Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted the Government’s information that there is no system of compulsory recruitment in the Kingdom and consequently there is no legal text in the Kingdom that specifies compulsory recruitment of any person whatsoever. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2015-07-29 | C182 | Child Protection Law - Article (10) | [{"link_name":"Child Protection Law","source_link":"https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2024-10/Child%20Protection%20Law.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article (10) of the Law prohibits the use of a child in the manufacture, sale or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2014-11-17 | C182 | Executive Regulations of Child Protection Law - Article (9) .1 and Article (9) .2 | [{"link_name":"Executive Regulations of Child Protection Law","source_link":"https://www.hrsd.gov.sa/sites/default/files/2023-02/Executive%20Regulations%20of%20Child%20Protection%20Law.pdf"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Article (9) .1 and Article (9) .2 of the Law prohibit the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials as well as their exploitation in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2009-07-23 | C182 | Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law - Article 1. 4. ; Article 3. Article 4. 3. | [{"link_name":"Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law","source_link":"https://laws.boe.gov.sa/Files/Download/?attId=6b2e41e2-baf7-4274-83da-adbb010e882f"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Article 3 of the Law punishes any person who commits an act of human trafficking, with Article 4.3 imposing a harsher penalty if the crime is committed against a child, even if the perpetrator is unaware that the victim is a child. According to Article 1 of the same text, a child is defined as any person under the age of 18. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2006-12-08 | C138 & C182 | Ministerial Order No. 2840/1 of 2006 concerning the occupations and jobs that may endanger the minors morals, health and safety | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Order No. 2840/1 of 2006","source_link":"https://gulfmigration.grc.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/e2840-.pdf"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | This Ministerial Order provides that minors under the age of 17 years are prohibited to engage in the following works: 1. Work in mines, quarries and extracting mineral materials from the underground. 2. Industries that involves health hazards . 3. Hard Works. 4. Life-threatening racing. 5. Any work may expose the child to psychological and moral problems. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2006 | C138 | Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law - Article (167) | [{"link_name":"Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=74429"}] | 14 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article (167) of the Law provides that the prohibition of employment of children below the age of 15 years should not apply to work undertaken in firms by persons aged at least 14 years if such work is performed in accordance with the conditions set forth by the Minister and if the work constitutes an essential part of the following : (1) An educational or training course the primary responsibility for which lies with a school or a training institution; (2) A training program all or the major part of which is implemented in a firm if approved by the competent authority; (3) An orientation program aimed at facilitating the selection of the career or type of training. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2014 | C138 | Ministerial Decision No. 14 of 2014 | [{"link_name":"-CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_LANG_CODE:4396467,en:NO"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | In a Direct Request published in 2025, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted the application in practice of Ministerial Decision No. 14 of 2014 which establishes the age of completion of compulsory schooling at 15 years, in line with the minimum age for admission to employment. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2006 | C138 | Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law - Article (162) (2) | [{"link_name":"-Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=74429"},{"link_name":"-Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4396467,103208"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Article (162) (2) of the Law defines the activities considered light work as jobs that shall not be potentially harmful to children's health or growth or hinder their school attendance, participation in orientation or vocational training programs, or impair their ability to benefit from their schooling. In a Diect Request published in 2025, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) took note of the Government’s reply regarding its requests for information on any provisions determining light work activities and the conditions in which children aged 13 to 15 may undertake such light work. In this regard, the Committee noted that the Guiding Manual on a methodology for the assessment of occupational safety and health risks, adopted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and promulgated by Decision No. 216486 of 7 July 2022, includes a methodology for the evaluation of light work in which children are authorized to engage. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2006 | C138 | Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law - Article (162) (2) | [{"link_name":"Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=74429"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | Article (162) (2) of the Law provides that may be allowed the employment of persons between 13 and 15 years in light works. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2006 | C138 | Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law - Article (162) (1) | [{"link_name":"Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=74429"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article (162) (1) of the Law sets the minimum age for admission to work to 15 years. It adds that the Minister may, pursuant to a decision by him, raise this age limit in certain industries or areas or for certain categories of minors. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2006 | C138 & C182 | Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law - Articles (2) and (161) | [{"link_name":"Royal Decree No. M/51 on Labour Law","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=74429"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Article (161) of the Law prohibits the employment of minors in hazardous jobs, harmful industries, occupations or jobs that may endanger their health, safety or morals due to the nature or conditions of the same. Article (2) defines a minor as any person of fifteen and below the age of eighteen. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 08-OCT-2001 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 02-APR-2014 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To develop a strategic intervention to prevent and eliminate child labour, the plan aims at reaching some key goals including : Expanding the knowledge base related to child labour ; Improving the law, its enforcement and prosecution ; Establishing mandatory guidelines on light work for children aged 13 to 15 years ; Improving social work and social protection mechanisms ; Promoting quality education opportunities ; Raising awareness on the issue of child labour. | [{"link_name":"National Action Plan to eliminate child labour","source_link":"https://uqn.gov.sa/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83%D8%A9.pdf"}] | 2021-2024 | National Action Plan (NAP) to eliminate child labour | Multi-actor task force |