Rights and duties of domestic workers
Rights and duties of domestic workers according to the regulations of domestic workers of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
See the rights and duties of domestic workers
Definition of domestic worker
A domestic worker is any natural person who performs a direct or indirect domestic service for the employer or his family, and is under the supervision and direction of the employer or his representative while performing the service. Domestic workers include female domestic workers, domestic servants, domestic workers, private drivers, gardeners, house guards and those of similar status.
Domestic worker rights
Daily rest
The domestic worker is allowed to enjoy daily rest for a period of not less than nine hours per day.
Weekly rest
The domestic worker may obtain a weekly rest day as agreed upon by the two parties in the contract.
Health care
Health care is provided to the domestic worker in accordance with the regulations and instructions in force in the Kingdom.
Sick leave
The worker is entitled to paid sick leave not exceeding thirty days per year based on a medical report proving his need for leave.
Upon renewal of his contract
The domestic worker is entitled to a paid leave of one month if he has spent two years and wishes to renew for a similar period.
End of service gratuity
The domestic worker is entitled to an end of service gratuity of one month’s wages if he has spent four consecutive years in the service of the employer.
Duties of a domestic worker
His work
The domestic worker is obligated to:
- Perform the agreed upon work, and to exercise the care of a normal person.
- Not to refuse work or leave the service without a legitimate reason.
- Not to work for his own account.
Towards the employer’s orders
The domestic worker is obligated to follow the orders of the employer and his family members related to the implementation of the agreed upon work.
Employer’s property
The domestic worker is obligated to preserve the property of the employer and his family members.
Safety of the employer’s family members
The domestic worker is obligated not to harm family members, including children and the elderly.
Secrets of the employer and his family members in his home
The domestic worker is obligated to:
- Maintain the secrets of the employer, family members and people in the home that he learns during or because of work, and not to disclose them to others.
- The domestic worker must also not harm the dignity of the employer and his family members, and not interfere in what concerns them.
Religion of the employer and his family members
The domestic worker is obligated to respect the Islamic religion, and to abide by the regulations in force in the Kingdom.
Violations and penalties for domestic workers
Without prejudice to the penalties stipulated in other regulations, a domestic worker who violates the provisions of this regulation shall be punished as follows:
- A fine not exceeding two thousand riyals, or a permanent ban from working in the Kingdom, or both.
- The fines shall be multiplied by the number of violations proven against the domestic worker.
The violating domestic worker shall bear the costs of his return to his country. If he does not have financial dues that cover the fines imposed on him, he shall be deported to his country at the expense of the state.
