New Rules & Regulations for Hiring Domestic Workers in KSA

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has brought in New Rules and Regulations for hiring a Domestic worker. Earlier, all the domestic workers were hired by personal or family and the Saudi government only managed control of the recruitment process and salary amounts.

Musaned has clarified new rules about the recruitment system.

• Expatriates cannot apply Visa for domestic workers from their own country, but are allowed to recruit domestic workers from other countries
• To initially issue a recruitment visa, an expatriate must have salary of SR 10,000 and also provides evidence of bank balance of SR 100,000. To issue a second visa an expatriate must have salary of SR 20,000 and also provides evidence of bank balance of SR 200,000.

New Regulations for Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

• Age – domestic workers must be 21 years and above ONLY.
• Dates – Gregorian dates for contracts, not Islamic (Hijri)
• Unpaid Salaries – Considered First Degree debts
• Contracts – MUST be based on standardized government templates

A: Employment Contacts – Terms have to include:

1. Job descriptions
2. Personal details (both parties)
3. Signing dates
4. Salaries
5. Payment Methods
6. Rights and Responsibilities (Sponsor & Employee)
7. Probation Periods (Up to 90 days only & only one)
8. Working Hours
9. Holidays
10. Overtime Policy
11. Renewal Procedures
12. Termination Clauses
13. Insurance Terms.

Probation Period – Sponsor or worker can end employment

Work Hours – No more than 10 hours daily

Rest Periods – 24 hours per week

B: Employer’s Responsibility

1. All employment fees (recruitment, job changes, transfers, Iqama, work permit, and penalties)
2. Housing
3. Food
4. Not keeping passports
5. Not keeping personal documents
6. No racist or sexist abuse
7. No verbal, physical, or mental abuse

C: Worker Responsibilities

1. Perform work duties
2. Protect the sponsor’s property
3. No physical assaults on family members
4. Maintain sponsor privacy and confidentiality
5. No self or second employment

D: Islam- Respect Islamic principles, practices, and social traditions

The minimum age of 21 is to protect against the abuse of young workers.

Sponsors must state workers’ salaries in writing and pay any outstanding dues highlighting worker financial rights.

Conclusion

The new rules are a massive step forward concerning the treatment and rights of domestic workers, which aim to produce transparency and balance in the labor market for employers and employees alike.