RIYADH — A Saudi labor court slapped a fine of SR200,000 on a medical firm for its unjustified delay in paying a Saudi doctor's salary arrears and end of service benfits. The firm has also to pay SR280,000 as end of service allowances and arrears. The court ruled that the firm shall issue an experience certificate covering the period of his working with the firm. The fine shall be collected according to the set procedures for collecting public funds of the state. The doctor, who was working as a consultant, filed the lawsuit stating that the medical firm terminated his employment contract without a legitimate reason and thus causing harm to him. He demanded all the rights and allowances entitled to him during the contract period, as well as the end of service benefits, and compensation for termination of his contract in accordance with Article 77 of the Labor Law. The doctor produced documents showing deposit of his monthly salary amounting to SR46,000, and previous identification certificates to prove the work contract with the establishment. The firm was not represented in the court sessions despite being notified electronically. While examining the documents submitted by the doctor, the court asked him to take an oath on the validity of his arguments before issuing the verdict. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Sarah Thabet, a legal expert, said that the Labor Law stipulates that in the event of termination of the work contract, the employer must pay the worker remuneration for the period of his service calculated on the basis of half a month's wage for each of the first five years and a month's wage for each year after the first five years. There is also a provision that the last wage must be taken as the basis for calculating the remuneration. She said the law obliges the employer to commit, upon the end of the work contract, to give the worker — upon his request — an experience certificate having the date of his joining the work, date of termination of the work contract, his profession and the figure of last wages drawn. It is not permissible for the employer to include in the certificate any reference that could damage the reputation of the worker or minimise his chances of finding other job. Sarah added that the labor courts have the jurisdiction to hear cases related to the Labor Law, including disputes in work contracts, wages and rights, work injuries and compensation for them, disputes related to disciplinary action against the worker, as well as cases filed to impose penalties stipulated in the Labor Law, in addition to disputes arising from the application of Labor Law and Social Insurance Law.
