Salary Not Paid in Saudi Arabia? How to File a Complaint (Mudad, Qiwa, HRSD)

Salary delay is one of the most common problems Indian workers face in Saudi Arabia. Whether it’s a one-month delay or your employer hasn’t paid for three months, you have legal rights — and there are specific government platforms to get your money.

This guide covers exactly how to file a complaint, what documents you need, and the timelines the law sets for your employer.

Your Right to Timely Salary Payment

Saudi Labor Law is clear on this:

• Monthly workers must be paid at least once per month (Article 90)
• Daily workers must be paid at least once per week
• Payment must be in Saudi Riyals (SAR) unless your contract specifies otherwise
• Employers must pay through WPS (Wage Protection System) — electronic bank transfer

WPS means your salary should hit your bank account every month. If it doesn’t, there’s a digital trail that proves the delay.

How Long Can an Employer Delay Salary?

There’s no “grace period” — if your salary is due on the 1st and it’s not in your account, that’s a delay. But here’s what the law says:

Important: You don’t need to wait months. Once your salary is overdue, you can file a complaint.

Step 1: Talk to Your Employer (Document Everything)

Before going to authorities, try resolving it directly:

1. Send a written message (WhatsApp, email, or internal system) asking about your salary
2. Keep screenshots of all conversations
3. Get a response (or document that they ignored you)
4. Wait 3-5 days for a response

Why this matters: When you file a complaint, having proof that you tried to resolve it directly strengthens your case.

Step 2: Check Your Salary Record on Mudad

Mudad (mudad.com.sa) is the Wage Protection System (WPS) platform. Employers upload their monthly wage files there, and the system flags late or short payments. Mudad is not where you file a salary complaint, but it matters for you:

• When your employer gives a “justification” for a salary violation in Mudad, the system refers it to you to accept or reject (Mudad). Don’t accept a justification that isn’t true.
• WPS records are an official reference for wage data if a dispute reaches the Ministry or the court.

Step 3: File a Labor Complaint (Friendly Settlement) with HRSD

The official first step for a salary dispute is the Ministry of Human Resources’ Friendly (Amicable) Settlement for Labor Disputes service, also called Wudi (HRSD). It is free.

How to File:

1. Log in to the HRSD labor e-services portal (es.hrsd.gov.sa) or the Qiwa individuals portal with Nafath (National Single Sign-On)
2. Choose “Amicable Settlement” → “File a case”
3. Enter details: your details, your employer’s details, your job and salary details, and the claim (e.g. unpaid salary for specific months)
4. Upload documents: your employment contract (or any proof of the work relationship) and evidence such as bank statements showing no salary credit and messages with your employer
5. Submit and note the case number — you’ll get updates by SMS

What Happens After Filing:

• The complaint goes to the settlement office of the city where you last worked
• Both sides get time for direct negotiation, then settlement session(s) where the Ministry tries to reach an agreement
• If there is no settlement, the case is referred to the Labor Court within 21 working days from the first session; hearings are then followed on Najiz (HRSD)
• You must file within 12 months (HRSD conditions); domestic workers use a separate process (Musaned)

New: Direct Wage Enforcement via Najiz

Since October 2025, the wage clause in an employment contract certified on Qiwa (with an execution number from the Ministry of Justice) counts as an enforceable instrument. If you don’t receive your full wage within 30 days of the due date, or receive only part of it after 90 days, you can file an electronic enforcement request on Najiz directly; the employer can object within 5 days. It was rolled out in phases: new or updated contracts from 6 October 2025, renewed fixed-term contracts from 6 March 2026, and non-fixed-term contracts from 6 August 2026 (HRSD). Check on Qiwa whether your contract is certified.

Step 4: Call HRSD Hotline

If you need help or want to follow up:

HRSD unified number: 19911

What to tell them:

• Your Iqama number
• Employer name and CR number
• How many months your salary is delayed
• Whether you’ve filed a Friendly Settlement case
• Any complaint reference numbers

Language: HRSD lists the settlement service in Arabic, English and Urdu. If you need more help, ask a friend who speaks Arabic or English to join the call.

Step 5: Visit the Labor Office

If the online platforms and hotline don’t resolve your issue:

1. Find your nearest Labor Office — check hrsd.gov.sa for locations and book an appointment through HRSD’s appointment service
2. Bring these documents:
   • Original Iqama
   • Employment contract (Qiwa printout)
   • Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
   • Your Friendly Settlement case number
   • Screenshots of conversations with employer
3. File a formal complaint at the Labor Office
4. Get a receipt with your complaint number

What Documents You Need

Before filing, gather these:

Timeline — How Long Does Resolution Take?

Fastest resolution: If your employer is responsive, many salary complaints are settled at the Friendly Settlement stage. Court cases take longer.

What Happens to the Employer?

Depending on the case, an employer that doesn’t pay wages can face:

1. Fines under the labor law violations schedule
2. Wage Protection non-compliance, which is monitored through Mudad and can restrict the establishment’s ministry services
3. A Labor Court judgment ordering payment
4. Enforcement through Najiz (for certified contracts), where the court can act to collect the unpaid wages

The system is designed to protect workers. Don’t feel guilty about filing — you’re exercising your legal right.

Special Situations for Indians

Situation 1: Employer Says “No Money”

This is not your problem. The employer is legally obligated to pay your salary regardless of their business situation. File a complaint.

Situation 2: Employer Asks You to Wait “Next Month”

Don’t wait indefinitely. If salary is delayed by more than one month, file a complaint. Remember the 12-month limit for filing.

Situation 3: You’ve Already Left Saudi Arabia

Online filing needs a working Nafath login (which is linked to your Saudi mobile number). If you can’t log in, contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh (or the Consulate in Jeddah) for help, or authorise someone with a power of attorney to file for you. File within 12 months.

Situation 4: Employer Threatens You for Complaining

Filing a complaint is your legal right. If your employer threatens you (for example with a false absence report or cancelling your iqama), report it to HRSD on 19911 and mention it in your case.

Situation 5: Multiple Months of Unpaid Salary

File immediately. You can claim:

• All unpaid salary
• End of Service Benefit (ESB) if your contract ends
• Any other contractual dues (leave pay, etc.) — whether extra compensation is awarded is decided by the court

How to Check Your WPS Payment History

You can verify whether your employer has actually sent your salary through WPS:

1. Check your bank statements for each month’s salary credit
2. Respond in Mudad if your employer’s justification for a violation is referred to you — accept only if it is true (Mudad)
3. If your employer claims payment was made but nothing reached your account, ask for the transfer details and raise it with your bank
4. If no payment was made, use the Friendly Settlement complaint (or Najiz enforcement for certified contracts)

Related Articles

• ESB (End of Service Benefit) Calculation Guide — Your gratuity rights when leaving
• Download Qiwa Contract — Verify your salary details
• Terminate Qiwa Contract Without Notice Period — When you can leave without notice
• Jobs & Employment Guide — Complete employment guide

FAQ

How long can my employer delay my salary? There’s no grace period in the law. Monthly-paid workers must be paid at least once a month. Once the salary is overdue, you can file a complaint.

Which platform should I use — Mudad, Qiwa or HRSD? File the complaint through HRSD’s Friendly Settlement service (HRSD e-services or Qiwa). Mudad is the employers’ wage protection platform, not a complaint platform. If your contract is certified on Qiwa, you may also be able to file a direct enforcement request on Najiz.

Do I need to be in Saudi Arabia to file a complaint? Filing is online, but you need a working Nafath login. If you can’t log in from abroad, contact the Indian Embassy or appoint someone with a power of attorney.

Can my employer fire me for filing a salary complaint? No. This is illegal retaliation. Report any threats to HRSD immediately.

What if my employer says the salary delay is because of “business problems”? This is not your problem. The employer is legally obligated to pay regardless of their business situation.

How long does resolution take? The Friendly Settlement stage is designed to finish or be referred to the Labor Court within 21 working days from the first session. Court cases take longer.

Can I claim damages for salary delay? You can claim the unpaid salary and other contractual dues. Whether any extra compensation is awarded depends on the court.

What if I’ve already left Saudi Arabia? Use the online Friendly Settlement service if you can still log in with Nafath, or contact the Indian Embassy in Riyadh for help.

This article was fact-checked against official HRSD and Mudad sources in November 2026. Rules may change — always verify with the Ministry of Human Resources (hrsd.gov.sa) or call 19911 for the latest information.

Official Sources:

• Mudad Platform
• HRSD — Friendly Settlement for Labor Disputes
• Qiwa Platform
• HRSD — File a Complaint
• Embassy of India, Riyadh — Labour Law