Select Language:
Saudi Arabia has introduced a significant update in labor laws, explicitly prohibiting employers from charging domestic workers any fees. This includes costs related to recruitment, work permits, transferring services, or changing job titles. The new guidelines are detailed in the “Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers,” published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Offenders who violate these regulations could face fines reaching SAR 20,000 and a ban from hiring domestic staff for up to three years. Repeat violations will result in even more severe penalties, reports Saudi Gazette.
The regulations aim to protect workers’ rights by ensuring they have a decent quality of life and a secure working environment. Among the protections, domestic employees are entitled to full salary payments, weekly days off, daily breaks, and paid leave every two years. They also have the right to retain their personal documents—such as passports and residency permits (iqama)—without employer interference.
Employers are required to provide suitable housing, meals or a cash allowance, health coverage, and support in maintaining communication with their families. The guide also specifies recognized roles within the domestic sector, including drivers, home nurses, cooks, tailors, butlers, and household managers. It allows for the addition of new job categories as needed.
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
