Saudi Arabia is introducing an initiative designed to prioritise the welfare and rights of incoming domestic workers. The service called ‘Insurance on Domestic Worker Contracts,’ is scheduled to launch on 1 February, 2024.
The service will be accessible through the Musaned platform for first-time domestic workers in the Kingdom, as announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). Initiated by the Ministry, the Musaned platform encompasses a wide array of services aimed at enhancing the recruitment process, resolving disputes, and guaranteeing the rights of all parties involved in domestic-worker contracts.
Coming to the comprehensive insurance service, it yields numerous advantages for both employers and domestic workers. It includes compensation in diverse scenarios, such as instances of the domestic workers failing to report for duty, absconding, suffering disability, or dealing with chronic illnesses preventing them from fulfilling their duties. In the unfortunate event of any domestic worker’s demise, the insurance covers expenses related to repatriating the body and personal belongings.
Moreover, the service ensures the protection of domestic workers’ rights by offering compensation in cases of total permanent disability or permanent partial disability resulting from accidents. It also provides compensation if employers are unable to meet salary and financial obligations due to the employer’s death, permanent total disability, or permanent partial disability.
The insurance coverage, spanning the initial two years of the domestic worker’s contract, will be seamlessly incorporated into the contractual procedures between employers and recruitment offices or companies. Post this initial period, employers will have the flexibility to either extend or terminate the insurance coverage.
Presently, the exclusive availability of the insurance service for Musaned clients reflects its introduction as an optional feature in early 2023. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 1,75,000 clients opting for insurance coverage for their domestic workers.
