Insurance will be linked to labor contracts of domestic workers from next year in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH — The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is expected to start linking the provision of insurance to domestic labor contracts, effective from the beginning of 2022.

The application of insurance for domestic workers will be done in cooperation with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

Informed sources at the ministry said that the insurance will be linked with the brokerage contract to recruit domestic workers on the Musaned platform. The ministry will work out the mechanism to implement the decision in cooperation with the relevant authorities, including SAMA and the Ministry of Interior, according to a local newspaper report.

Under the new regulation, the rights and benefits of both the employer and the worker will be guaranteed, and these include compensating the employer for expenses incurred to get a replacement in the event of the worker’s death or his/her inability to work, or affliction with chronic and critical diseases, and compensation for expenses of repatriating the dead body, belongings and personal properties in the event of the death of the domestic worker.

The employer will also be compensated in the event of the worker’s absence or run away from work, in addition to compensation for the worker in the event of permanent total disability or permanent partial disability resulting from an accident.

There are also several other benefits of the new move as it enhances the attractiveness of the Saudi labor market, facilitates bilateral negotiations with countries, improves the contractual relationship, and reduces risks in the domestic labor recruitment market. This will eventually contribute to reducing prices and ensuring the rights of all contractual parties, in addition to increasing the commitment of stakeholders.

According to Article Six of the Regulations for Domestic Service Workers, the domestic worker is obligated to perform the agreed-upon work and to follow the orders of the employer and members of his family related to the implementation of the agreed-upon work, and not to refuse to work or leave the service without a legitimate reason.

It also includes the protection of the property of the employer and his family members, including children and the elderly, and nondisclosure of secrets of the employer and his family members and other people at home.

There is also a provision in the article that the domestic worker should not work for his own personal gain, and should neither harm the dignity of the employer and family members nor interfere in their affairs.

The worker also needs to respect the Islamic religion, abide by the regulations that are in force in the Kingdom and honor customs and traditions of Saudi society, and not engage in any activity harmful to the family.

It is noteworthy that the Council of Ministers approved the recommendation to link insurance to the domestic labor contract in May this year. As per the Cabinet's decision, the insurance shall be for the first two years from the date of the beginning of the contract. After this period, it would be optional for the employer while renewing the worker’s residency permit.