Saudi Arabia Issues New Rules for Hiring Domestic Employees 2025

In a major policy development, Saudi Arabia has introduced a new set of regulations for hiring domestic employees, establishing a stronger legal framework to protect workers’ rights and ensure ethical employment practices. The announcement, part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s (MHRSD) labor reform agenda, marks a significant shift in how domestic employment is regulated across the Kingdom.

The new guidelines — issued under the “Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers” — prohibit employers from collecting any fees from domestic employees, including recruitment costs, work permit renewals, transfers of service, or changes of profession. The move is designed to eliminate exploitation and create transparency in the domestic labor market.

Strict Penalties for Violations

According to the new Saudi domestic worker law 2025, any employer found collecting or withholding money from a domestic worker will face fines up to SR20,000 and a three-year ban on hiring household staff.

Repeat offenders will face more severe consequences, including permanent bans and possible criminal proceedings. The ministry stated that this firm stance aligns with Saudi Arabia’s international labor commitments and its broader vision to create a safe, dignified, and well-regulated working environment.

Officials emphasized that licensed recruitment agencies remain the only authorized entities to manage financial transactions related to hiring and work permit procedures.

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Rights and Protections for Domestic Employees

The newly issued framework introduces a detailed set of worker rights and employer responsibilities under a unified employment contract. These protections guarantee fair treatment, timely wages, and humane living conditions for all domestic employees.

Key rights include:

• Full and on-time payment of wages without unauthorized deductions.
• One day of rest per week agreed upon by both parties.
• At least eight consecutive hours of rest per day to ensure adequate recovery.
• One month of paid vacation after two years of continuous service.
• Right to keep personal documents, such as passports and residency permits.
• Access to healthcare, emergency medical assistance, and insurance coverage.
• Adequate housing and meals, or a cash food allowance where applicable.
• Freedom to communicate with family members and consular representatives.

Officials said these rights are enforceable under Saudi law and that employers are obligated to provide a safe and respectful workplace at all times.

Expansion of Recognized Domestic Professions

The Saudi Arabia new hiring policy expands the list of recognized domestic professions to reflect the evolving household labor market. Under the new classification, approved domestic roles include:

• Housemaids and cleaners
• Private drivers and gardeners
• Home nurses and caregivers
• House managers, cooks, and butlers
• Tailors and maintenance attendants

The ministry clarified that more professions may be added over time as labor needs evolve. The categorization ensures clear contractual terms, preventing misuse of job titles and protecting both employees and employers from legal disputes.

Ensuring Compliance and Monitoring

To uphold the new domestic employment regulations in KSA, the MHRSD has set up a national monitoring framework. Recruitment offices, employers, and agencies will undergo regular audits to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and worker protection standards.

Violations will be tracked through the ministry’s digital platforms, and workers will have access to official complaint channels via the MHRSD website, hotline, and mobile applications.

The ministry is also developing a domestic worker grievance resolution mechanism, allowing employees to file disputes and receive timely decisions through labor courts or arbitration panels.

This is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to digitalize and streamline labor services under Vision 2030, ensuring accountability and fair resolution for all employment-related matters.

Emphasis on Ethical Employment

The MHRSD highlighted that these reforms are intended to transform the Kingdom’s domestic employment landscape by promoting ethical recruitment practices, transparency, and fairness.

An official statement from the ministry noted:

“These new regulations ensure that domestic employees work under clear contractual protections, fair wages, and proper living conditions. Our goal is to preserve the dignity of workers and strengthen mutual respect between employers and employees.”

The ministry further warned employers against retaining passports or personal documents, emphasizing that such practices violate Saudi labor law and could lead to penalties.

Support for Expatriate Workers

The new policy is particularly significant for expatriate domestic workers, who make up a large portion of the sector in Saudi Arabia. The expat worker rules 2025 ensure that foreign employees from countries like the Philippines, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka receive equal treatment under Saudi law.

Consular missions of major labor-exporting countries have welcomed the announcement, calling it a progressive and humane step that will enhance worker safety, improve employer accountability, and strengthen bilateral labor relations.

Saudi authorities have also committed to increased coordination with foreign embassies to facilitate awareness programs for domestic employees upon arrival, ensuring they understand their rights and obligations under the new system.

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Broader Vision Under Saudi Arabia’s Labor Reforms

This announcement forms part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing labor reform journey, which includes key initiatives such as:

• The Ajeer platform, providing legal work authorization for part-time employees.
• The Wage Protection System, ensuring transparent salary transfers.
• The Labor Reform Initiative (LRI), which gave foreign workers greater job mobility and freedom.

The government continues to align its labor laws with international standards, enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a fair and responsible global labor market participant.

Conclusion

The Saudi Arabia Issues New Rules for Hiring Domestic Employees 2025 marks a turning point in the country’s domestic labor policies. By enforcing transparent hiring procedures, ensuring worker rights, and introducing stricter penalties for exploitation, the Kingdom is advancing toward a more equitable and humane employment environment.

As Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its labor framework under Vision 2030, these reforms reaffirm its commitment to justice, transparency, and dignity for all workers — domestic and expatriate alike.