MLSD implements WPS on firms with over 40 workers

The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) is implementing on Wednesday the 12th phase of the Wage Protection System (WPS) on establishments whose workers range between 40 and 59 starting today (Nov. 1).

Under this phase, a total of 14,288 establishments will have to upload wage files for 687,607 workers according to the ministry’s statistics.

MLSD spokesman Khaled Abalkhail clarified that the ministry emphasized its keenness to implement the WPS on all private firms to ensure wages are paid on time, define wage scales for all occupations and reduce labor issues between employers and workers.

He added the ministry will not lose momentum to enforce the system on every firm as timetables are set forth.

According to the sanctions and penalties mentioned in the labor law, if the establishment fails to pay workers’ wages on time, it will be fined SR3,000 as well as fines can be increased by the number of workers, Abalkhail said as well.

Abalkhail added if the employer fails to upload wage files on the system within two months from the date of enforcement, he would be banned from the ministry’s services, except for issuance or renewal of work permits.

If the establishment is late to upload them for three months, it will be denied access to all the ministry’s services, and the workers can transfer their services to other establishments without their former employer’s approval and despite their valid work permits, the spokesman said further.

Recently, the ministry unveiled the WPS as part of the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020. It aims to create a safe and suitable work environment in the private sector as it will increase transparency, protect the contractual relationships among involved parties and raise the compliance of small and medium-sized enterprises to the system.

The employers can visit the ministry’s website and review upcoming phases of implementing the WPS. They can also register with the program in advance as the demo registration will not result in imposing any sanctions on them.

For more information, they can download the WPS Guide from the ministry’s portal (www.mlsd.gov.sa).

In this respect, Abalkhail urged customers to report violations relating to the Wage Protection System through the ‘Ma3an Lil Rasd’ app or the unified customer service no. (19911).