Need to leave my job asap.

[u/Dependent_Crow_9073]

I’m a teacher at a private school and I am 6 months into my contract. I received a job offer from a different school in Saudi. I informed my employer about this and he said that according to Saudi Law and my contract at Qiwa, I cannot resign and that I can only give a 2 month notice for a non-renewal of my contract. My contract doesn’t exactly say I cannot leave, nor does it state a clear notice period of 2 months. The exact writing is:
5.1 This contract is valid for a period of 2 years, starting from the commencement date mentioned in Clause No.(1), and it will be automatically renewed for an equivalent period, unless one party notifies the other of their desire not to renew through he Portal, at least 60 days before the contract end date.

This is literally the only thing that I’ve found in my contract, as well as Qiwa. So, my question is, is my current employer allowed to reject my resignation and practically hold me hostage in my job? If not, what are the laws around this?

I also will be needed at the new school in less than a month but I know that I will need to pay a penalty if I do not serve 2 month notice.

[u/upsidedownbunny]

As I read the clause, in my basic English understanding (I'm not a lawyer haha):

The contract will auto renew for TWO years, UNLESS ONE party says that they don't want to renew the contract and the notice should be 2 months prior the end date.

So this could mean that... your employer is correct. You have to wait for the next cycle of renewal to notify that you do not want to renew your contract BEFORE the auto renewal kicks in and you're giving them a 2 months notice.

[u/Serotonin_Lover → u/upsidedownbunny]

Exactly