In a significant development, the Philippines has emerged as the leading source of domestic labor recruitment in Saudi Arabia, surpassing other countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. This remarkable trend is facilitated through a dedicated Saudi government platform designed to streamline the hiring of domestic workers.
Saudi Arabia's Domestic Labor Market:
With approximately 900 accredited recruitment offices operating across the kingdom, Saudi Arabia has prioritized the recruitment of domestic labor through official channels.
The Philippine Connection:
The Philippines takes center stage in this labor recruitment landscape, with around 725,000 Filipinos currently residing in Saudi Arabia, as per recent Saudi statistics. This substantial Filipino community plays a pivotal role in the domestic labor sector.
Resuming Recruitment:
It's worth noting that Saudi Arabia had temporarily suspended the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers in late 2021 due to new regulations set forth by the Philippine Ministry of Labour. The Saudi government's decision to resume this recruitment highlights the mutual commitment to strengthening ties.
Empowering Domestic Labor:
Saudi labor authorities have taken proactive steps to regulate the domestic labor market. The Ministry of Human Resources introduced the "Musaned" domestic labor platform to empower customers with information on their rights, responsibilities, and essential services. These services include visa issuance, recruitment requests, and managing contractual relations between employers and workers.
Wage Management:
The platform offers a streamlined process for wage transfers to domestic workers through apps like STC Pay and Urpay. Additionally, it facilitates seamless transfer of services between employers and aids in the authentication of domestic labor contracts. Dispute resolution mechanisms are also readily available.
Upgrading the Labor Sector:
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources is committed to enhancing the labor sector within the kingdom. By mandating the use of Musaned as the official recruitment platform, it automates recruitment procedures, ultimately safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees.
