Saudi Arabia's Qiwa labor platform, operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), has crossed the milestone of 2 million registered firms in the first quarter of 2026. The platform now hosts 13 million workers and 12 million documented employment contracts, highlighting the rapid digital transformation of the Kingdom's labor market.
New Services and Compliance Targets
The ministry, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency, introduced new services during the quarter, including a unified system for documenting training contracts and a registration service for Saudi nationals. These initiatives aim to organize employment relationships and curb irregular multiple contracting.
Authorities are tightening compliance rules on contract documentation. The required compliance rate has been raised to 85 percent as of April 30, with a second phase increasing it to 90 percent by June 30. Compliance is measured as the ratio of documented contracts to total employee contracts at each establishment, a metric intended to enhance transparency and protect the rights of both employers and workers.
Legal Enforceability of Contracts
In parallel, the ministry has advanced the legal enforceability of employment agreements. A second phase now recognizes authenticated fixed-term contracts as enforcement instruments when renewed or updated. Plans are in place to extend this framework to indefinite-term contracts in a subsequent phase. Employers and employees are urged to update and document contracts through Qiwa and consult with the ministry on compliance matters.
Workforce Development Reforms
Reforms also extend to workforce development. A ministerial decision requires private-sector firms with 50 or more employees to provide on-the-job training to Saudi graduates and job seekers equivalent to at least 2 percent of their workforce annually. Training periods must last between two and six months and be documented on Qiwa, detailing roles, stages, and rights and obligations. Large firms with 5,000 or more employees must train at least 100 individuals each year.
Authorities stated that these measures—spanning stricter documentation, enforceable contracts, and mandated training—are designed to raise compliance with labor regulations, improve labor market efficiency, and support human capital development in line with Vision 2030.
