Domestic Worker Protections in Saudi Arabia (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Omani royal decrees, ministerial decisions, and the Basic Statute of the State. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Domestic workers (housemaids, drivers, gardeners, cooks, nannies) have specific protections — and a separate regulatory framework from the LRI-covered private sector:
- Written contract: Employers must provide a written contract in a language the worker understands, specifying wages, duties, working hours, and rest days. The Musaned platform generates standardised contracts.
- Wages: Monthly salary must be paid on time. The contract specifies the amount and payment method.
- Rest days: Domestic workers are entitled to at least one day off per week.
- Passport retention is criminal: Employers cannot confiscate the worker's passport — this is a criminal offence punishable by fine and potential imprisonment.
- 9-hour rest: Workers must get at least 9 continuous hours of rest per day.
- Musaned platform: All domestic worker recruitment must go through the Musaned platform — this system tracks contracts, wages, and complaints.
When does it apply?
- You are a domestic worker employed in a Saudi household.
- Your employer is withholding your passport, not paying wages, or denying rest days.
- You are an employer hiring through Musaned and need to understand your legal obligations.
What to Do If Your Employer Confiscated Your Passport or Is Not Paying Your Wages as a Domestic Worker in Saudi Arabia
- Keep your passport in your possession — if your employer takes it, this is a crime you can report immediately.
- If your employer confiscates your passport, report it to the police (call 911) or the MHRSD hotline (19911).
- If wages are unpaid, file a complaint through Musaned or the MHRSD portal.
- Contact your embassy for assistance — many embassies in Riyadh have dedicated domestic worker protection desks.
What should you NOT do?
- Do not hand over your passport to your employer — the law explicitly protects your right to retain it.
- Do not leave the employer's household without filing a complaint first — "absconding" (leaving without proper legal steps) can result in deportation, re-entry bans, and loss of wage claims. File through Musaned or MHRSD instead.
- Do not accept work without a Musaned-registered contract — an unregistered arrangement leaves you with no legal protection.
About Immigration Rights in Oman
If you live in Saudi Arabia on a visa, you need a valid Iqama under the Residence Law (Royal Decree No. M/17 of 1952, as amended). Most services run through Absher. Since the Labour Reform Initiative in 2021, most private-sector workers can change employers and obtain exit/re-entry visas independently — transfers go through Qiwa. The Premium Residency programme gives long-term residence without a sponsor. Hajj and Umrah visas are issued via NUSUK. Overstay fines start at SAR 10,000 and escalate to deportation.
Common Questions
What is the domestic worker protections right in Oman?
Domestic workers (housemaids, drivers, gardeners, cooks, nannies) have specific protections — and a separate regulatory framework from the LRI-covered private sector:Written contract: Employers must provide a written contract in a language the worker understands, specifying wages, duties, working hours, and rest days. The Musaned platform generates standardised contracts.Wages: Monthly salary must be paid on time. The contract specifies the amount and payment method.Rest days: Domestic workers are entitled to at least one day off per week.Passport retention is criminal: Employers cannot confis...
When does it apply — domestic worker protections?
You are a domestic worker employed in a Saudi household.Your employer is withholding your passport, not paying wages, or denying rest days.You are an employer hiring through Musaned and need to understand your legal obligations.
What should I do if my employer took my passport or is not paying me as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia?
Keep your passport in your possession — if your employer takes it, this is a crime you can report immediately.If your employer confiscates your passport, report it to the police (call 911) or the MHRSD hotline (19911).If wages are unpaid, file a complaint through Musaned or the MHRSD portal.Contact your embassy for assistance — many embassies in Riyadh have dedicated domestic worker protection desks.
What should you NOT do — domestic worker protections?
Do not hand over your passport to your employer — the law explicitly protects your right to retain it.Do not leave the employer's household without filing a complaint first — "absconding" (leaving without proper legal steps) can result in deportation, re-entry bans, and loss of wage claims. File through Musaned or MHRSD instead.Do not accept work without a Musaned-registered contract — an unregistered arrangement leaves you with no legal protection.