Saudi Arabia Introduces New Domestic Worker Regulations

Saudi Arabia has recently introduced a set of new regulations governing the employment of domestic workers in the country. These regulations aim to enhance the protection of workers' contractual rights and make the Saudi labor market more appealing. One significant change is the establishment of a minimum age requirement for domestic workers, set at 21 years.

The new regulations outline various key provisions that will shape the employment of domestic workers in the kingdom. Notably, all dates specified in a domestic worker's employment contract will be calculated based on the Gregorian calendar, unless the contract explicitly states otherwise. Any terms in a contract that contradict this provision are considered invalid, unless such terms are more favorable to the worker.

These updated rules were officially published in the kingdom's Official Gazette, Umm Al Qura. Among the other changes introduced, the regulations now stipulate that any payments owed to the worker or their beneficiaries will be treated as first-degree debts, ensuring that workers receive their rightful compensation in a timely manner.

Additionally, the contractual terms between the employer and the domestic worker will be subject to mandatory regulations set forth by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources. The official version of these regulations will be in Arabic, and translations will be provided in the official language of the worker's home country.

These new regulations reflect Saudi Arabia's commitment to improving the working conditions and rights of domestic workers while bolstering the overall attractiveness of its labor market.