In collaboration with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will begin implementing the decision to apply insurance on labor contracts when hiring domestic workers.

Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reports that the landmark law, which will benefit both domestic workers and employers, would go into effect in March or April.

It has been linking insurance companies to the Musaned platform exclusive for the recruitment of domestic workers in order to complete the procedures for the insurance of labor contracts of domestic workers. A decision in this regard will be announced soon, according to sources at the ministry.

The insurance on the domestic labor contract will benefit the employer by reimbursing the recruitment costs in the event of runaway workers or abstentions from work during the remainder of the contract after the three-month probation period.

If an employer fails to pay their domestic workers on time, they will be compensated for the overdue salaries. It has been decided by the ministry to introduce insurance on recruitment contracts as an optional benefit, not a mandatory one.

However, joining the recruitment of domestic help to the insurance policy will bring more advantages for the beneficiaries, such as obtaining discounts at a certain percentage of the value of the insurance premium during its renewal as long as the sponsor complies with the terms and conditions of the policy, such as paying the salary on a regular basis.

According to Article 6 of the Regulation for Domestic Workers and Those of Similar Status, the domestic worker is required to perform the agreed upon tasks, including obeying orders from his employer and members of his family in accordance with the labor contract, and not to refuse or quit work without a valid reason.

The article states that workers shall not engage in work for their own benefit. The domestic worker must safeguard the employer's property and that of his family members, including the elderly and children.

The worker must also protect the secrets of the employer and his family members and not divulge them to anyone else.

As per the regulations, the workers should not do anything that harms the dignity of their employer and family members. They should not interfere with their personal lives. Also, they must respect the religion of Islam, abide by the regulations that are in force in the Kingdom, as well as the customs and traditions of Saudi society.