In a significant regulatory move, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has taken action against 14 recruitment offices across the Kingdom, reinforcing its efforts to tighten oversight in the labour market.
According to the ministry, the action follows inspection campaigns conducted during the first quarter of 2026, aimed at regulating the recruitment sector, improving compliance levels, and safeguarding the rights of all stakeholders involved.
As part of the enforcement drive, the licences of 11 recruitment offices were revoked after they failed to correct violations within the stipulated timeframe. An additional three offices were immediately suspended, bringing the total number of penalised entities to 14.
The violations identified ranged from breaches of recruitment and labour service regulations to delays in refunding dues owed to clients. Authorities also flagged failures in addressing and resolving customer complaints, highlighting gaps in service accountability.
The ministry stated that these measures are part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency, improve service quality, and ensure a more structured and compliant labour market environment. The crackdown reflects ongoing efforts to regulate recruitment practices and protect the contractual rights of both employers and workers.
Reaffirming its commitment to continuous monitoring, the ministry said it will maintain regular oversight of recruitment offices and companies, while enforcing penalties on those failing to comply with established rules and guidelines.
The HR Ministry also encouraged beneficiaries to use the government-backed Musaned platform, which enables digital contracting with licensed service providers, along with tools for rating services and filing complaints. Violations can also be reported via the unified call centre.