Riyadh: An Indian expatriate has successfully won a labor dispute against his former Company in Saudi Arabia, securing payment of his outstanding employment dues after a court ruling and subsequent execution proceedings.
Martin Varghese, a native of Cochin (Kochi), Kerala, had been employed as a Marketing Specialist with a Riyadh-based marketing company since September 2017.
His employment relationship was governed by an official contract registered through Saudi Arabia's Qiwa platform, the digital employment system managed by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).
According to the case details, Martin received his salary regularly during the initial years of his employment.
However, from 2024 onwards, the company allegedly began delaying salary payments and employment benefits. What initially started as delays of one to two months gradually extended to four and five months, causing significant financial hardships to Martin.
He reportedly made several formal requests to the company seeking payment of his pending salaries, accrued vacation entitlements, and other contractual benefits.
Despite repeated follow-ups, he did not receive a satisfactory response. Meanwhile, he was subsequently terminated from his employment without reasons.
After exhausting all attempts to resolve the matter directly with his employer, Martin sought legal guidance & support from Riyadh-based pro bono lawyer and social worker Dr. & Adv. P. A. Hameed Padubidri, a native of Udupi.
Dr. P.A.Hameed meticulously guided & helped Martin in this case including compiling all relevant documentary evidence essential to substantiate his claims.
He also made sustained efforts to resolve the matter with the company through Martin. Despite these earnest efforts to resolve the dispute without litigation, the employer failed to respond constructively, leaving court proceedings as the only viable course of action.
Dr. P.A.Hameed entrusted the matter then to lawyer Adv. (Ms.) Faten Al-Ahmari, who filed a labor case before the competent court in April 2025 seeking recovery of unpaid salaries, end-of-service benefits and accrued vacation dues.
As part of Saudi Arabia's labor dispute resolution process, the case first underwent mandatory preliminary settlement proceedings.
However, the employer did not participate in the reconciliation process, resulting in the matter being referred to the Labor Court for adjudication.
Within approximately one month, the court ruled in favor of Martin, ordering the company to pay all outstanding employment dues, including unpaid vacation benefits.
Following the judgment, execution proceedings were initiated under Saudi Arabia's Execution Law after the employer failed to comply voluntarily with the court's order.
As part of the enforcement process, the company's bank accounts and financial transactions were reportedly frozen until compliance with the judgment.
After sustained legal follow-up by Adv. Faten Al-Ahmari through the execution court, the company transferred the full court-awarded amount to Martin's bank account last week.
Martin, who is currently in India, expressed relief and happiness after receiving the payment.
He thanked Adv. Faten Al-Ahmari for successfully pursuing the case before the Saudi courts and also conveyed his sincere gratitude to Dr. & Adv. P. A. Hameed Padubidri for providing his continuous legal guidance and support before and after the litigation commenced.
Speaking after receiving the court-awarded amount, Martin said the successful outcome had strengthened his confidence in Saudi Arabia's judicial system. He expressed his full faith in the Kingdom's legal framework, stating that it upholds justice and equity and provides effective legal remedies for employees seeking enforcement of their lawful rights.
It’s learnt that there are few cases of Kannadigas & Indian diaspora which are being pursued by Advocate. Faten Al-Ahmari through the reference of Dr. & Adv. P.A. HameedPadubidri.
She was the same Saudi Advocate who had issued a legal notice to the AirIndia in the gulf sector, especially in Saudi Arabia regions, for its continued delays & other anomalies, and the AI had tendered apology for their snags & said it will rectified in the future.
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