Saudi Arabia introduces new service for foreign workers
Saudi Arabia has launched a new electronic service that allows individuals to request the transfer of foreign workers from private-sector establishments to individuals for employment in domestic professions.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
The new service requires applicants to submit an electronically certified waiver from the worker's current employer, provide proof of financial capability, and upload supporting documents. The launch of this service coincides with the mandatory implementation of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new service that allows people to transfer foreign workers from their current job to a new one. To do this, the new employer needs to prove they can pay the worker's salary and provide a copy of the worker's ID. This service is meant to help regulate the transfer of foreign workers and ensure their rights.
Analysis
Background on the New Service
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has launched a new electronic service that allows individuals to request the transfer of foreign workers from private-sector establishments to individuals for employment in domestic professions. This initiative is intended to regulate the transfer of workers from private sector establishments to individuals for employment in domestic professions.
Requirements for the Transfer
Among the requirements, the foreign worker must hold a valid work permit and must not be employed in a high-level profession, including educational, technical, healthcare or specialist occupations. Workers employed in professions that have been fully Saudised are also excluded. The position requested under the transfer must be classified as a domestic profession.
Supporting Documents
Applicants are required to submit an electronically certified waiver from the worker's current employer, authenticated by the chamber of commerce. They must also provide proof of financial capability, either through a salary certificate or a bank statement. In addition, applicants must upload a copy of the worker's residency permit bearing the expatriate's fingerprint and signature. The application must also include details of the intended domestic profession, as well as the new employer's name and national identification number.
Format of Supporting Documents
The ministry also stated that supporting documents must be uploaded electronically in PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOCX, or XLSX formats, with each file not exceeding 3 MB.
Annual Fee for Additional Domestic Workers
The ministry also confirmed that an annual fee of SR9,600 will apply for each additional domestic worker beyond the permitted limit of four for Saudi citizens and two for residents. Exemptions will be available in humanitarian cases, including for people with disabilities and those with chronic or serious illnesses.
Implementation of Wage Protection Program
The launch of this service coincides with the mandatory implementation of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers, which ensures that wages are paid through approved channels, safeguards the rights of both parties in the contractual relationship, and promotes greater transparency and compliance across the labor market.
Key points
- Saudi Arabia has launched a new electronic service for transferring foreign workers from private-sector establishments to individuals.
- The service requires applicants to submit an electronically certified waiver from the worker's current employer and provide proof of financial capability.
- The ministry has confirmed that an annual fee of SR9,600 will apply for each additional domestic worker beyond the permitted limit.
- The launch of this service coincides with the mandatory implementation of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers.
If this development plays out positively, it could lead to more transparency and compliance in the labor market, ensuring that foreign workers are treated fairly and their rights are protected.
However, there is a risk that the new service may lead to exploitation of foreign workers, particularly if the new employer does not provide adequate compensation or working conditions.
