The Saudi Ministry of Manpower and Social Welfare will soon oblige recruiting companies to provide contract insurance for domestic workers.
According to Akaz newspaper, the rules and regulations of insurance are being prepared. Implementation will be announced as soon as this work is completed.
Sources in the know say that in case of death, absconding, absenteeism or disappearance of the worker, the employer will get the required expenses under the insurance package. In case of death, the cost of repatriation of the deceased will be paid by the insurance company.
The insurance program includes protection of legitimate interests of domestic staff. For example, if he becomes totally disabled or partially disabled on a permanent basis due to an accident, then he will be entitled to compensation. Similarly, if he is not paid due to the death of the employer, he will also be compensated in such a case.
If the employer is not in a position to pay the salary, then even in such a case the loss of the domestic worker has to be remedied.
Sources say that the cost of insurance, the cost of the contract between the recruiting company or agency and the employer will also be included in the insurance scheme. The scheme will be for two years prior to the date of employment contract. After that, while renewing the accommodation, it will be the employer's choice whether to extend the insurance scheme or not.
It should be noted that the Ministry of Manpower and Social Welfare and the Saudi Central Bank are co-participants in the enforcement of insurance contracts for the recruitment of SAMA domestic staff. SAMA and the Ministry will do this through the link to insurance companies on the 'Musand' platform.
