Domestic Workers
Saudi Arabia has recently issued new guidelines for its citizens regarding the recruitment of domestic workers, on Sunday. The updated directives stipulate that a bachelor must be a minimum of 24 years old to hire a domestic worker, and eligibility to issue a visa for the worker will undergo verification as part of the hiring process.
Prospective employers are now required to select the domestic worker’s profession and nationality through the Ministry of Human Resources, submitting a related application specifying the chosen recruitment office. These measures aim to streamline and regulate the hiring process.
In October 2023, Saudi Arabia had already introduced new rules for hiring domestic worker, setting the minimum age for workers at 21 years. Additionally, the contract dates for domestic workers are now calculated according to the Gregorian calendar.
The regulations also address financial matters, emphasizing the settlement of dues owed to the employer and first-degree debts, with a fixed duration specified in the contract.
Renewal of the contract is considered for one year from the date the worker begins the job if a fixed duration is not explicitly mentioned. The regulations also establish working hours for domestic help, setting them at 10 hours per day, and entitle workers to a weekly paid successive 24-hour rest period.
Crucially, the guidelines explicitly prohibit employers from withholding a domestic worker’s passport, personal documents, or belongings. It is noteworthy that domestic workers in the kingdom encompass various roles such as housekeepers, drivers, housemaids, cleaners, cooks, guards, farmers, live-in nurses, tutors, and nannies.
These comprehensive regulations aim to enhance transparency, protect the rights of domestic worker, and ensure fair employment practices in Saudi Arabia.
