My employer ended my contract during the probation period. What does the Labour Law say (Article 53)?

During probation, either side may end the contract. If it ends during probation, neither side gets compensation, and the worker gets no end-of-service benefit for it (Articles 53 and 54 of the Labour Law).

Steps

1. Probation must be stated clearly in the work contract, with its length clearly set (Article 53).
2. In all cases the total probation may not exceed 180 days. It may be split into several periods if they follow each other and this is clearly written when the contract is made (Executive Regulations, Article 19).
3. Not counted in probation: the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays, the National Day holiday, the Founding Day holiday, and sick leave.
4. You may not be put on probation more than once with the same employer. As an exception, you may both agree in writing to another probation, provided it is in a different job or profession, or at least 6 months have passed since your work with him ended (Article 54).
5. Article 80 also lists a worker “hired on probation” among the cases where the contract may be ended without end-of-service benefit, notice or compensation.
6. The current Article 53 text comes from the Labour Law amendments in force since 1446/8/20 AH (19 February 2025). Before them, probation was up to 90 days, and could be extended in writing up to 180 days.
7. If you and your employer disagree about the probation or what you are owed, file a free “amicable settlement” request on the Ministry's e-services portal: choose “Amicable Settlement”, then “File a case”, choose the case topic, and attach your contract and papers.
8. Attend the session on time. If there is no settlement, a record is issued, and then you can file a case at the labour court.