Employers in Saudi Arabia are no longer allowed to charge domestic workers any employment-related fees, according to new regulations introduced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).
The updated Guide to the Rights and Obligations of Domestic Workers, obtained by Okaz, outlines strict measures to ensure fair treatment and legal protection for domestic employees across the Kingdom. The ban covers recruitment costs, work permit fees, service transfers, and charges for changing professions.
Under the new rules, any employer found violating these provisions faces fines of up to SR20,000 and a three-year ban from hiring domestic workers. Repeat offenders could face doubled penalties and a permanent recruitment ban.
The ministry said the guidelines are part of ongoing efforts to create a fair and stable working environment for domestic workers. Employers are required to pay wages on time, provide rest periods, and guarantee other contractual rights.
According to the guide, domestic workers are entitled to one day of rest each week, at least eight hours of rest per day, and one month of paid leave after every two years of service. They must also receive a free return ticket to their home country every two years, along with an end-of-service benefit equivalent to one month’s salary after four years of employment. In addition, workers are eligible for up to 30 days of sick leave per year with proper medical documentation.
In a significant step toward protecting personal freedoms, the regulations explicitly prohibit employers from confiscating workers’ passports or residency permits (iqamas).
The guide also defines a broad range of recognised domestic professions, including housekeepers, private drivers, cooks, home nurses, butlers, tailors, supervisors, and house managers. Other approved roles include personal assistants, home guards, farmers, physical therapists, and coffee makers. The ministry noted that this list may expand to include additional household roles in the future.
Employers must sign a formal contract with each domestic worker in line with MHRSD requirements and are obligated to provide suitable accommodation and meals—or a financial allowance in lieu—along with healthcare, access to legal documentation, and opportunities to communicate regularly with their families.
Domestic workers, in turn, are expected to maintain good conduct, protect household property, respect Saudi laws and customs, and keep family matters confidential.
The ministry said the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to upholding justice, equality, and human dignity within employment relationships. It reaffirmed that policies will continue to evolve to protect the rights of both employers and domestic workers while fostering a safe and ethical work environment.
