Saudi Arabia to introduce new reform in contract between employers and workers; expatriates to benefit

RIYAD: One of the biggest problems when looking for a job in the Gulf countries is the contract between the employer and the workers. Saudi Arabia is currently reforming its domestic labour laws to improve the contractual relationship between employers and workers. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources is implementing a new reform aimed at protecting the rights of both.

Under the new law, out-of-work domestic workers will be allowed a two-month grace period to leave Saudi Arabia and be able to switch to another employer. It applies to all categories of domestic workers subject to the prescribed rules. If the employer terminates the contract within two years of arrival in the country, the worker must leave on a final exit visa within 60 days. Failure to do so would result in him violating the country's residency and employment laws.

However, if the contract is terminated due to the domestic worker's absence from work after two years from arrival, the worker has the option of leaving on a final exit visa or moving to a new employer within 60 days. It has been decided to implement the new reform within four months. Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia include household workers, drivers, cleaners, cooks, guards, farmers, home nurses, tutors and nannies. The contract process through Musaned, the country's official recruitment platform, has been made mandatory.