House workers can switch jobs without the employer approval as Saudi ministry allowing new rules.

The update was made in the second article of the Labour Law regulations. According to the update, domestic workers can transfer their services to a new employer without the consent of their current employer under the following circumstances:

- It is proven that there has been a delay in the payment of wages of domestic workers for three consecutive or intermittent months without any genuine reason attributed to the domestic worker

- Failure to receive the domestic worker from the port of arrival or from the shelters within 15 days from the date of her arrival in the Kingdom - Failure of the employer to issue a residency permit (iqama) for the domestic worker, or renew it even after a lapse of 30 days from its expiry date

- Employer assigns services of the domestic worker to others - It is proven that the domestic worker has been assigned to dangerous work that threatens his/her health or safety

- It is proven that the employer or a member of his family has abused the domestic worker - There is a complaint by the domestic worker against the employer and the employer prolongs the process of examining the complaint

- Employer files an incorrect runaway (huroob) report on the domestic worker - Failure of the employer or his representative to appear before the domestic workers’ dispute settlement committees for two sessions

- Absence of the employer due to his travel, imprisonment, or any other reason that results in his inability to pay the domestic worker’s wages. The following two paragraphs have been added to Article Two of the Labour Law regulations:

- It is proven that the services of the domestic worker have been transferred to another employer without his or her knowledge or consent

- The termination of the labour contract by the employer during the probation period. The amendment to the ministerial decision aimed to regulate the domestic labour sector, and improve the contractual relationship, which contributes to raising the efficiency and flexibility of the recruitment process of domestic workers and preserving the rights of employers. This decision comes within the framework of the ministry’s constant endeavour to make the Saudi labour market in its various sectors more attractive, keeping pace with the best job markets in the world.

Saudi allowing rules will make it easier for domestic employees as well as foreign employees. Friendly behavior toward employees will help the national to grow in every sector and industry.Alex Jhon Martin