{"id":24240,"date":"2024-05-01T05:36:09","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T05:36:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/department-of-domestic-workers-protection-and-support-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-03-29T18:39:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:39:51","slug":"department-of-domestic-workers-protection-and-support-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/department-of-domestic-workers-protection-and-support-in-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Department of Domestic Workers Protection and Support in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an ancient civilized country, known for its generosity, hospitality, and respect for human values.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Therefore, the Kingdom has paid great attention to human rights, including the rights of domestic workers, who constitute an important part of Saudi society and provide essential services to families.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this article, we will highlight the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance the protection and support of domestic workers, and discuss the systems and regulations governing their work, the entities responsible for their protection, the initiatives launched to improve their living conditions, and the challenges facing these efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>\u00a0Laws and regulations governing the work of domestic workers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The laws and regulations regulating the work of domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are an important step towards guaranteeing the rights of this category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These regulations include the Labor Law, the Domestic Workers Regulations, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Work system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Labor Law is the primary reference for regulating the work of domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This system includes many provisions that guarantee the rights of domestic workers, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>working hours:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The labor system sets working hours for domestic workers at a maximum of 10 hours per day and 60 hours per week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Workers must receive at least 24 hours of weekly rest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Reward:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Labor Law sets the minimum wage for domestic workers, and this minimum varies according to the type of profession and experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Workers must be paid monthly and in full.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Vacations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Domestic workers are entitled to 30 days of annual paid leave and 15 days of sick leave per year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Weekly rest and official holidays:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Domestic workers are entitled to at least 24 hours of weekly rest, and must be allowed to celebrate official holidays in Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Workers duties:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The work system specifies the duties of domestic workers, which include performing the household chores assigned to them accurately and efficiently, adhering to the rules of the home\u2019s internal system, and respecting the privacy of family members.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>List of domestic workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Domestic Workers Regulations complete the labor system, and explain the procedures for recruiting domestic workers and how to transfer them to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regulations also include the conditions and duties of employers, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conditions for recruiting domestic workers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The regulations set the conditions for recruiting domestic workers, which include the employer obtaining a license from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and submitting some documents, such as the worker\u2019s passport and employment contract.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Duties of employers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The regulation specifies the duties of employers towards domestic workers, which include providing suitable housing, healthy food, and medical treatment in the event of illness, and not forcing them to work overtime or in harsh conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Anti-trafficking in persons law:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law criminalizes human trafficking, punishes perpetrators, and provides support to victims. This law includes trafficking in domestic workers, and protecting this category from trafficking is one of its main goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Importance of rules and regulations:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The laws and regulations governing the work of domestic workers play an important role in:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">-Guaranteeing the rights of domestic workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">-Protecting workers from exploitation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">-Enhancing cooperation between employers and workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">-Improving workers&#8217; living conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>\u00a0Entities responsible for protecting and supporting domestic workers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to protecting and supporting the rights of domestic workers, and therefore it has established many bodies responsible for this.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Main responsible parties:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrsd.gov.sa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development<\/a>:<\/strong> is the ministry primarily responsible for protecting and supporting the rights of domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its tasks include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Implementing the labor system and regulations governing the work of domestic workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Supervising the process of recruiting domestic workers and ensuring their compliance with the rules and regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Providing support and advice to domestic workers through the \u201cTogether Monitoring\u201d Centre.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure that workers obtain their rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Migrant Workers Protection and Support Center:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This center provides multiple services to expatriate workers, including domestic workers. These services include: <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Receiving complaints and reports from workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Providing legal support to workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Communicate with the responsible authorities to solve workers\u2019 problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Spreading awareness about workers\u2019 rights and duties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Embassies and Consulates:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The embassies and consulates of the countries to which domestic workers belong provide them with support and advice, and also help them solve problems they may face.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Supporting parties:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Police:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The police help protect domestic workers from any dangers or attacks, and also investigate complaints and reports submitted by them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Charities:<\/b><span style=\"font-size: 16px;font-weight: 400\">Some charities provide support services to domestic workers, such as financial and in-kind assistance, providing psychological support, and organizing awareness and education programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Media:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The media plays an important role in educating society about the rights of domestic workers, and spreading a culture of respect for this group.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>\u00a0Initiatives to enhance the protection and support of domestic workers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched many initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of this group and ensuring that they obtain their full rights, such as: <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Together Monitoring Initiative:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The \u201cTogether to Monitor\u201d initiative is a crucial step in enabling foreign workers in general\u00a0 to report any abuses or violations of their rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This initiative opens a safe platform for them to express their suffering, and facilitates the process of receiving complaints electronically through the application affiliated with this initiative,\u00a0 investigating them, and taking the necessary measures to punish violators.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Wage Protection Program:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrsd.gov.sa\/knowledge-centre\/initiatives\/national-transformation-initiatives-bank\/108808\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wage Protection Program <\/a> is a pioneering initiative aimed at ensuring that domestic workers receive their full and fair wages on time. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This program comes as a proactive step to enhance workers\u2019 dignity and rights, and provide them with a safe and stable work environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Awareness campaigns<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia realizes that spreading awareness among workers and employers about the rights and duties of employers and domestic workers is the cornerstone of building sound and respectful relationships between these groups. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The ministries and concerned authorities organize intensive awareness campaigns, aiming to correct misconceptions about the rights of this group, and to promote a culture of respect for domestic workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Bilateral Agreements: <\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concludes bilateral agreements with countries exporting domestic workers. These agreements represent a legal framework for regulating the labor recruitment process, ensuring that all parties adhere to the terms and controls of recruitment, and protecting workers\u2019 rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Through these initiatives, the Kingdom seeks to create a safe and stable work environment for domestic workers, enhance cooperation between employers and workers, and build a just society in which human dignity is respected.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>\u00a0Challenges facing protection and support for domestic workers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance the protection and support of domestic workers, there are some challenges facing these efforts, which hinder this group from obtaining their full rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Main Challenges:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some domestic workers do not know their rights and duties:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Some domestic workers face difficulty in knowing their rights and duties, because they are not informed of the work system and regulations governing their work.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><b>The importance of addressing challenges:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Addressing the challenges facing the protection and support of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia is essential to ensure: <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Domestic workers obtain their full rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Protect them from exploitation and abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Improving their living conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Enhancing cooperation between employers and workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Creating a safe and stable work environment for workers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is making great efforts to enhance the protection and support of domestic workers, and therefore it has launched many initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of this group and ensuring that they obtain their full rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, there are still some challenges facing these efforts, which hinder this group from obtaining their full rights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues its efforts to address these challenges, through cooperation between all concerned parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Together, we can build a better future for domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a future that contributes to strengthening a culture of respect for human rights and achieving sustainable development for all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an ancient civilized country, known for its generosity, hospitality, and respect for human values. Therefore, the Kingdom has paid great attention to human rights, including the rights of domestic workers, who constitute an important part of Saudi society and provide essential services to families. In this article, we will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18609,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[107],"class_list":["post-24240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-unclassified","tag-department-of-domestic-workers-protection-and-support"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24240"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24240\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24625,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24240\/revisions\/24625"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wafd.com.sa\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}