Obtaining an End of Service Certificate in Saudi Arabia: Article 64

Article 64 of the Saudi Labor Law establishes the worker’s absolute right to receive an End of Service Certificate upon the termination of the employment relationship. The law mandates that the employer must issue this document free of charge and prohibits the inclusion of any negative remarks that could hinder future employment.

The Legal Framework of the End of Service Certificate (Article 64)

The Saudi Labor Law guarantees that the employment exit process includes proper documentation alongside the financial settlement. Under Article 64, an employer is legally obligated to provide a certificate of work experience upon the worker’s request. This right applies regardless of whether the departure stems from a resignation or a Termination of Unlimited Contract.

Mandatory Contents of the Service Certificate

The law specifies the exact factual data that the End of Service Certificate must contain. The employer must explicitly state the Date of Commencing Work, the Date of the End of the Relationship, the worker’s exact Profession, and the Amount of the Last Salary. This information verifies the worker’s tenure and assists them in calculating their final dues using the Saudi EOSB Calculator.

Employer Restrictions: No Fees and No Negative Remarks

Article 64 places strict negative constraints on the employer to protect the exiting worker. The employer must provide the certificate entirely Free of Charge. Furthermore, the employer is legally paralyzed from weaponizing the document; the law explicitly prohibits the inclusion of any remark or statement that would undermine the reputation of the worker or negatively impact their chances of future employment.

The Obligation to Return Deposited Documents

Alongside the issuance of the experience letter, the exit process requires the restitution of the worker’s personal property. Article 64 dictates that the employer must return all original certificates, official documents, or personal records that the worker had deposited with the company during the employment period.