It is strange that the paid maternity leave given to Saudi women working in the private sector is not what is outlined in the Labor Law. The law states that pregnant women are entitled to four weeks’ leave before and after the birth. She is entitled to leave at half her salary if she has completed a year in the job. Employers are forbidden to suspend or fire the woman during her maternity leave or during sick leave.
Maternity leave in the private sector depends on the employer and most of them do not follow the Labor Law or the rules for Saudization. These employers believe that the Labor Law cuts down on their profits even if the employee’s life is at stake. For example, in private schools maternity leaves differ from one school to another. They all seem to agree, however, that about two weeks’ leave is enough. Some teachers who demand more time off may lose their jobs and the same applies to women working in hospitals and private medical centers.
Worse still some private sector employers go to great lengths to discourage Saudi women from working. They impose conditions such as no maternity leave and only 15 days paid annual leave. Employers state these conditions to be non-negotiable and so women who want to work and also be mothers are left with little choice except to seek employment elsewhere.
At the same time, it is strange to see that when it comes to maternity leave, Saudi teachers in girls’ schools are the largest groups in giving birth to children. They comprise 35 percent of the number of employees in different government sectors and their annual leaves have increased in the last few years. They are encouraged to have children since they are entitled to two months’ paid maternity leave.
Concerning foreign women employees in both the public and private sector, they come to the Kingdom with guaranteed financial and other rights as per the Labor Law. They can become pregnant whenever they want and give birth to as many children as they wish.
