Saudi Arabia has banned employers from charging fees to domestic workers, with violations carrying fines of up to SR20,000 and a three-year recruitment ban.
The regulations are outlined in the Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers, obtained by Okaz and released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, according to a report by the Saudi Gazette.
The guide comprises legislation regulating the relationship between employers and employees. Employers are prohibited from charging domestic workers any fees related to recruitment, change of professions, transfer of services, residency permit (iqama) and work permits.
Saudi Arabia introduces three-year recruitment ban for employers violating domestic worker laws
Domestic workers must receive their wages according to the unified contract signed with the employer. The regulations stipulate workers’ right to a weekly rest day agreed upon in the contract, daily rest hours of no less than eight hours, and a month’s leave after completing two years of work if the worker wishes to renew the contract.
The ministry stated that regulating the domestic worker sector stems from the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting the rights of all parties and ensuring a work environment based on justice and human dignity.
The guide specifies professions permitted by law in the domestic worker sector, including domestic worker, private driver, home nurse, cook, tailor, butler, supervisor, house manager, home guard, personal assistant, farmer, physical therapist and home coffee maker. The guide allows the addition of other professions that may fall under the duties of domestic workers.
Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia are entitled to a travel ticket to their country every two years at the employer’s expense, an end-of-service gratuity of one month’s salary upon completing four years, and sick leave of up to 30 days per year when needed, based on a medical report.
Workers have the right to keep all identification documents, such as passport and iqama, without them being confiscated by the employer.
The regulation includes obligations for domestic workers such as proper conduct of the contractual relationship, a stable work environment within the family, performing work under the employer’s supervision, preserving and taking care of the family’s property and work tools, refraining from verbal or physical assault towards the employer or family members, maintaining household secrets, not leaving work or working for themselves or others without justification, and commitment to respecting the Islamic religion and regulations in the Kingdom, taking into account the customs and traditions of Saudi society and the associated values and morals.
Employers must bear legal obligations aimed at ensuring a contractual relationship with the domestic worker. These include concluding a contract in accordance with mechanisms approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, providing housing and food or paying an allowance for them.
The employer is obligated to enable the worker to communicate with their family, issue and renew residency and legal licences at their own expense, and pay the monthly wage in accordance with the contract.
Employers must provide health care to the worker, grant them daily rest hours and legally prescribed holidays, and not assign work that threatens their health or violates their human dignity.
In the event that the employer violates the regulations, they will face a fine that may reach up to SR20,000, in addition to the possibility of being banned from recruiting for a period of up to three years.
The ban may be extended to become permanent in some cases, with the penalty doubled in the event of a repeat of the violation.
