Saudi labor law 2025
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Issues New Rules on Domestic Workers and Change of Profession
Jeddah — October 2025:
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) in Saudi Arabia has released a new Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers, outlining clear laws governing the relationship between domestic workers and their employers. The updated regulations highlight the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring justice, dignity, and a fair working environment for all.
🔹 Employers Prohibited from Charging Workers for Fees
According to the new guide, employers are strictly prohibited from charging domestic workers any fees related to recruitment, change of profession, transfer of services, iqama renewal, or work permits.
All expenses for these services must be covered entirely by the employer.
The ministry also emphasized that a written employment contract must be signed, following official MHRSD guidelines. Employers are required to:
• Provide decent housing and food, or offer a financial allowance.
• Pay monthly salaries on time as stated in the contract.
• Allow a minimum of 8 continuous hours of daily rest.
• Grant one weekly day off as per the agreement.
• Provide one month of paid leave after every two years of continuous work.
• Cover all costs of residency renewals, return tickets (every two years), and healthcare.
• Enable the worker to communicate with family members freely.
• Avoid assigning work that harms the worker’s health or human dignity.
🔹 Domestic Worker Rights Under Saudi Law
The new Saudi labor law for domestic workers guarantees several rights to ensure fair treatment and well-being. These include:
• The right to keep personal identification documents such as passports and iqama.
• Timely payment of wages as per the unified contract.
• 30 days of sick leave per year with a valid medical report.
• End-of-service benefit equivalent to one month’s salary after four years of continuous work. • Free return ticket to their home country every two years at the employer’s expense.
🔹 Domestic Worker Responsibilities
The regulations also outline the responsibilities of workers to maintain professional behavior and family trust. Workers are required to:
• Perform their duties faithfully under the supervision of the employer or family members.
• Protect family property and household confidentiality.
• Refrain from any verbal or physical assault.
• Avoid leaving work without reason or working for others without authorisation. • Respect Saudi laws, Islamic values, customs, and traditions.
🔹 Approved Domestic Worker Professions in Saudi Arabia
The guide lists several professions approved under the domestic worker category, including:
• Domestic worker / housemaid
• Private driver
• Home nurse
• Cook / tailor
• Butler / house supervisor / house manager
• Personal assistant
• Farmer
• Home guard
• Physical therapist
• Home coffee maker
The ministry may also approve additional roles that fall within the duties of domestic workers.
🔹 Penalties for Employers Who Violate the Regulations
To protect worker rights, the new regulations include strict penalties for violators.
Employers who fail to comply may face:
• Fines up to SR 20,000, and
• A ban on hiring domestic workers for up to three years.
In cases of repeated violations, penalties can double, and in severe cases, the recruitment ban can become permanent.
🔹 Ensuring Justice and Human Dignity
According to the MHRSD, these laws reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting all parties in the domestic labor sector. The ministry stated that regulating this sector helps promote justice, human dignity, and a healthy work environment based on mutual respect.
The new Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers serves as a key step toward modernizing Saudi Arabia’s labor system and strengthening oversight in the recruitment and employment of domestic staff.