Decent Work and Economic Growth





Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Life at KFUPM is just that – life! It includes life-work balance and an outstanding work environment that promotes personal growth.

KFUPM follows the vision of being a significant economic driver within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond in the fields of sciences, engineering and business. Therefore, it recognizes that providing a healthy and safe work environment is a major factor in attracting and stabilizing the labor force, as well as raising work performance in a way that benefits enterprises and thus the national economy.

For that, KFUPM created a Labor Relations & Workers’ Rights Policy which embeds guiding concepts and policies founded upon the principles of the labor law code of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Royal Decree No. M/51 dated 23 Shaban 1426 (27 September 2005).

Labor Relations & Workers’ Rights Policy

KFUPM – a flourishing work environment

For the University to thrive, its workers must be entitled to just compensation that provides for their needs and for those who depend upon them. A flourishing work environment is one where staff can teach, research, and engage in university business free from the burden of financial need.

At KFUPM, all employees are paid at least the minimum wage as stated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The latest regulation states that the minimum Wage for Saudis Registered in the Nitaqat program is SAR 4,000.

The university regularly reviews its pay scales to ensure that they are competitive and correspond to the qualifications, achievements and skills of employees.

Furthermore, the University ensures that all its employees have the right office space, equipment and tools to conduct their activities in a decent manner. Faculty receive the benefit of the availability of on-campus housing. All employees are eligible for special discounts to enroll their children in KFUPM schools.

KFUPM - workplace equality

According to Saudi Labor Law (Royal Decree (No. M/51) Chapter 2: Article 3): “Work is the right of every citizen. No one else may exercise such right unless the conditions provided for in this Law are fulfilled. All citizens are equal in the right to work without discrimination on the basis of gender, disability, age, or any other form of discrimination, whether during their performance of work, at the time of employment, or at the time of advertising.”

Observing principles of equality is obligatory for all faculty, staff, management, and any other University employee, as well as contractors, subcontractors, visitors to the University, and all those living in the University.

Equality is enshrined in the provisions of the university’s Code of Conduct (IS FAIR): “The University provides equal opportunity to all Affiliates and job applicants and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination of any kind, for example, on gender, ethnicity, race, or creed. The University is committed to creating and complying with legal human resources policies and practices in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, hiring, evaluation, promotion, training, discipline, development, compensation, and termination. The University will ensure that its employment-related decisions are based on relevant qualifications, merit, performance, and other job-related factors” (p. 9).

KFUPM articulates a clear system of ethical values, encompassing honesty, fairness, respect, and diversity, among others, through its Code of Conduct and the adherence to the principles of Saudi law.

KFUPM - commitment against forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor

KFUPM has a policy commitment against forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor. Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the 2014 Protocol of the Forced Labor Convention, and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has developed a significant policy to eliminate forced labor.

Moreover, KFUPM does not permit the employment of minors on its campus, thus all university workers must be of at least 24 years of age.

KFUPM - equivalent rights for third-party workers

KFUPM honors the obligations of Saudi Labor Law that contract, subcontract, and temporary workers are entitled to the same rights and provisions as other workers (Ch. 2, Art. 6).

Should the University conclude a contract with a third-party employer, any workers subject to third-party contracts that perform incidental, seasonal and temporary work are subject to the same provisions with respect to duties and disciplinary rules of the Labor Law as any worker.

KFUPM also adheres to the provisions of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development regarding occupational safety and health. The principles and regulations of the Labor Law provide for the safety of workers (Pt. 8, Ch. 1–Ch. 2, Art. 126), including contractors and subcontractors.

KFUPM - pay scale equity and gender equity in pay

The University must ensure that its employment-related decisions are based on relevant qualifications, merit, performance, and other job-related factors (Code of Conduct IS FAIR, p. 9).

At KFUPM, all employees must be paid the minimum wage as defined for the Kingdom, which, for Saudis Registered in the Nitaqat program is SAR 4,000 per month.

KFUPM applies to faculty the pay scales and grades of Saudi Civil Services.

Faculty and staff are to be compensated on the basis of their experience, achievements, and qualifications.

In the course of its policies against discrimination, KFUPM supports the rights of women to work in the university sector and to an education. The Department of Female Education began admitting students for advanced degrees in 2018 and began admitting bachelor’s students in 2021.

In addition to educational equality, KFUPM is committed to the social empowerment and equal employment of women. KFUPM supports the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s program to increase female employment in the civil sector and its Women Leaders Program 2030.

Considering the requirements of training and other obligations, the labor code (Part 9) permits for equal employment of women in conditions of safety respective to their nature.

KFUPM - workers’ appeal process

In order to foster a healthy work environment, there must be mechanisms to address employers’ and workers’ grievances and to provide for those grievances to be made known and adequately addressed.

The University’s Code of Conduct IS FAIR protects workers, students, and all others associated with the University from personal mistreatment on any basis.

Legal regulations permit that a worker may register a complaint with the Commission for the Settlement of Labor Disputes.

The University also provides workers with the resources to address workplace complaints and violations of the moral and ethical codes which the University upholds.

Employees may communicate with the office of the Dean of Faculty and Personnel Affairs via KFUPM’s E-desk platform. Employees may utilize this service to seek information, learn about policies related, know policies related to any HR area, communicate HR-specific information, information, and other tasks.

In addition to the internal resources, workers are encouraged to appeal to the Department of Human Resources and Social Development through its complaints portal and the Human Rights Commission which also addresses workers’ grievances.