Short Description
Saudi Arabia extends the grace period for runaway domestic workers by an additional six months, enabling them to regularize their legal status and align with labor reforms.
Read Time
3 minutes and 30 seconds
Main Article
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has announced a vital six-month extension of the grace period allowing domestic workers who have fallen into irregular legal status to rectify their situation. Starting from November 11, this initiative will help those labeled as huroob—or absent workers—to regularize their employment status through the Musaned platform. This strategic move is part of the Kingdom’s broader labor market reforms aimed at protecting both worker rights and employer interests.
The extension follows the previous grace period initiated on May 11, 2025, also lasting six months, allowing workers and employers ample time to address abscondment cases and expired residency permits. This new window opens the door for countless domestic workers looking for a structured path to legal regularization, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparent labor practices within the country. Domestic workers who remain in the Kingdom and were reported as absconded prior to this announcement can now proceed with the registration through Musaned.
Musaned serves as the digital backbone for household labor services in Saudi Arabia, offering a streamlined process for correcting legal status. Through this platform, employers can electronically manage service transfers, ensuring a transparent mechanism that promotes fairness in contractual relationships. Specifically, Musaned supports smooth transitions for domestic workers whose residency permits have expired, allowing them to move to new sponsors after fulfilling necessary requirements. This digital approach not only enhances efficiency but also safeguards the rights of both domestic workers and their employers, bridging gaps that have historically plagued the sector.
With the goals of improving contractual relationships and fostering a safe, fair labor market, MHRSD’s initiative seeks to create an environment conducive to mutual respect and opportunity. The extension of this grace period is part of ongoing efforts to develop the domestic labor sector while ensuring humanitarian considerations are prioritized within regulatory frameworks.
Short Summary
In summary, Saudi Arabia’s extension of the grace period for domestic workers provides a critical opportunity for regularizing employment status, anchored by the digital Musaned platform. This initiative exemplifies the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing labor regulations and protecting the rights of both workers and employers.
