The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced a new digital service on the Musaned platform that allows individual employers to formally address cases where domestic workers stop reporting to work. The “Work Interruption” service, announced this week, streamlines the legal process for terminating contracts and transferring labor, while safeguarding the rights of both employers and workers.
How the Service Works
Through the unified national recruitment platform Musaned, Saudi employers can now carry out two main procedures when a domestic worker ceases to attend their duties. The first is the “contract termination due to work interruption” service, which allows employers to formally end the contractual relationship. The second is the “labor transfer” service, enabling an orderly transition of the worker to a new employer when applicable.
Both procedures are governed by regulatory controls designed to ensure fairness between parties. The ministry has emphasized that the service aims to eliminate ambiguity in situations that previously required lengthy manual processes, replacing them with a digital solution accessible directly through the Musaned portal.
Clear Timelines and Regulatory Framework
The ministry has outlined specific rules depending on how long a domestic worker has been in the Kingdom. If a contract is terminated due to work interruption within the first two years of the worker’s arrival, the worker must leave Saudi Arabia permanently within 60 days. Failure to do so will be treated as a violation of residency and labor regulations.
For workers who have resided in the Kingdom for more than two years, the rules offer greater flexibility. These workers have 60 days from the date of the work interruption to either exit permanently or transfer to a new employer. If neither step is completed within this period, the worker is classified as absent from work and in violation of applicable regulations.
Part of a Broader Digital Transformation
The launch of the Work Interruption service is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing effort to digitize labor market services under Vision 2030. The Musaned platform has steadily expanded its suite of tools for managing domestic labor contracts, recruitment, and dispute resolution. Earlier initiatives included the Wage Protection Service for domestic workers, which was fully implemented across the Kingdom by the start of 2026.
By introducing clear digital pathways for handling work interruptions, Saudi Arabia continues to modernize its labor market infrastructure, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in workers’ rights and employer protections.
