Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia amended its labor regulations to clarify the circumstances under which domestic workers can switch employers without the consent of their previous employer.
As part of Vision 2030, these changes are part of a broad range of reforms.
In ten cases, a ministerial decision already allowed the transfer of domestic workers' services without the employer's consent, including non-payment of wages.
There are two new scenarios in the latest update: When the employer transfers the worker's services to another employer without the worker's consent, and when the employer terminates the labor contract during the probationary period.
Dr. Awwad Alawwad, President of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons, said Monday these reforms under Vision 2030 are an example of a carefully crafted policy that provides millions of foreign workers with greater mobility, freedom of movement, and labor rights under Saudi law.
In a statement from HRC, the implementation of these remarkable reforms also demonstrates Saudi Arabia's long-standing concern for the global community.
In parallel with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's efforts to improve labor regulations, the strongest sign of this international engagement is when. As part of its daily work with partners at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Organization for Migration, the Human Rights Commission continues to strengthen the Kingdom's anti-trafficking measures and further protect both Saudi and foreign workers from human rights violations and trafficking practices.
We will continue to focus on protecting people while supporting reforms that will help the Kingdom achieve all its ambitious goals as HRC moves forward with Vision 2030 and national transformation."