How to File a Saudi Labour Dispute for Free: The Friendly Settlement Stage Takes 21 Days, for Pakistani Workers
Pakistani workers in Saudi Arabia: file a labour dispute with the Ministry's free friendly settlement service. Conditions, 12 month limit and helpline 19911.
Short answer: In Saudi Arabia, a labour dispute between a worker and an employer starts at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's "friendly settlement" stage. It is free, filed electronically, and takes up to 21 days. You must file within 12 months, and it does not cover domestic workers. If no deal is reached, the case goes to the labour court. The helpline is 19911, and Urdu is offered.
A Pakistani worker in Riyadh or Jeddah whose employer has not paid wages, or has ended a contract without paying dues, often wonders where to go first. Going to the court directly is not the first step in Saudi Arabia. The first step is a free settlement process.
We read the Ministry's service page for this process on 13 October 2026. We did not file a case. The page is written in rough English, so we explain it in plain words and mark what it does not say.
Friendly settlement is the first stage of a labour dispute
The Ministry describes friendly settlement as the first stage of looking at a labour dispute between a worker and an owner. The claim is received electronically. Staff review the papers, give one week for direct talks, then call both sides to settlement sessions and try to reach a deal.
If an agreement is not reached, the case is sent to the labour court within 21 working days from the date of the first claim. The service is free and the page lists a duration of 21 days. The service has been running since January 2019.
| Item | What the Ministry page says |
|---|---|
| Fee | Free service |
| Time | 21 days |
| Language | Arabic, English and Urdu |
| Helpline | 19911 |
| Channels | Electronic services portal for work, SMS alerts |
Check the conditions before you file
The Ministry lists four conditions. The worker must not be classified as a domestic worker. The claim must go to the settlement office for the city where the last working day was. The claim must be filed within 12 months. And there must be an employment contract between you and the employer.
- If you use a representative, the power of attorney must allow attending the settlement process and settling or giving up a claim.
- If the representative acts for a business, the power of attorney is issued under the Ministry of Justice, and the agent must be registered with the labour ministry.
- Attach your contract or any proof that shows an employment relationship, and the documents needed for your type of claim.
The page says the 12 months run "before the case will end." We read that as the time limit for filing. If you are near the limit, do not wait. Call the helpline.
Domestic workers, such as house helpers, use a different system.
The Ministry runs a platform for domestic workers, so ask the helpline which route applies to you.File your claim in five steps
The Ministry says you reach the service by pressing the "Start Service" button on its page. You need an account on the Ministry's electronic services or one linked to the Interior Ministry's Absher system. Follow these steps.
- Collect your contract, passport or iqama copy, payslips or bank records, and messages that show what you are owed.
- Sign in to the Ministry's electronic services portal for work.
- Choose the labour dispute service and enter the claim details carefully.
- Attach your papers and submit. Watch for SMS alerts.
- Attend the settlement sessions you are called to, or send an authorised representative.
We did not see the login screens, so the exact menu names may differ. The Ministry has a user guide on its website. If you cannot use the portal, call 19911 and ask for help in Urdu.
Know what comes next if no deal is reached
If the two sides do not agree, the Ministry refers the case to the labour court, within 21 working days from the date of the first claim. At that point you may want a lawyer or a trusted representative. The service page does not say how the court stage works, so ask the helpline.
While the case is open, keep your papers safe and keep records of every message with your employer. Do not leave the country without asking whether your presence is needed at a session. If you need to leave for an emergency, you can name an authorised representative under a power of attorney.
| Outcome | What follows |
|---|---|
| Both sides agree | A settlement is reached at the friendly stage |
| No agreement | Case referred to the labour court |
| Domestic worker | Not covered by this service |
Know your rights first. See the rules on notice and compensation when an employer ends a contract and on salary payment and deductions. To work out what you may be owed, use the steps to calculate your Saudi end-of-service award.
Get help from the Pakistan Embassy if you are stuck
If the employer is hiding, or you have no passport or iqama because the employer holds them, the Pakistan Embassy and the consulate in Jeddah can help with welfare cases. See the 24/7 numbers in Pakistan Embassy in Saudi Arabia emergency numbers.
If you have been marked absent from work by your employer, act fast. The steps to fix an absent from work status in 60 days explain that case. Check your residence papers with iqama validity, exit re-entry and final exit.
For a Pakistan-side complaint against a recruiter who took money, see how to report an unlicensed job agent.
Common questions
Is the friendly settlement service free?
Yes. The Ministry page lists it as a free service.
How long does it take?
The page lists 21 days. If no deal is reached, the case goes to the labour court within 21 working days from the first claim.
What is the time limit to file?
The page says the claim must be filed within 12 months. If you are close to that, call 19911 at once.
Can a domestic worker use it?
No. The page says the worker must not be classified as a domestic worker. Domestic workers have a separate route.
Can I file from Pakistan after I return?
The page does not say. It asks for the city of the last working day. Call 19911 to ask, and keep the 12 month limit in mind.
Which language can I use?
The Ministry lists Arabic, English and Urdu for this service, and the helpline number is 19911.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development service page for friendly settlement of labour disputes. The page is a rough English translation. We did not file a claim, see the portal screens, or read the court stage rules. For anything beyond this page, call the Ministry helpline.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
