Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has detected 10 establishments operating recruitment activities and providing labour services without the required licences, as part of ongoing inspections targeting violations in the sector.
The ministry said the violations involved sole proprietorships, general service offices and entities offering recruitment and labour services through websites and mobile applications. The establishments were found to be conducting recruitment activities or providing labour services without a licence, either directly or indirectly, in breach of regulations governing recruitment activities and labour services.
The ministry said regulatory procedures had been completed and the prescribed penalties imposed on the violating establishments.
Its inspection efforts combine field visits with electronic monitoring of advertisements and services promoted through applications, digital platforms and social media.
Authorities also investigate reports from individuals and establishments, verify service providers’ licensing status and permitted activities, document violations and coordinate with relevant authorities on enforcement measures.
Under Saudi Arabia’s approved schedule of violations and penalties, providing recruitment activities or labour services without a licence can result in fines of SAR200,000 for a first violation, SAR220,000 for a second violation and SAR250,000 for a third violation.
The ministry said the penalties are set out under Ministerial Decision No. 112377, dated 21/08/1447 AH.
The ministry also highlighted Musaned, Saudi Arabia’s unified domestic worker recruitment platform, as the authorised channel for completing recruitment and service-transfer procedures. The platform allows users to view workers’ CVs and licensed recruitment offices and companies, while payments can be made through approved electronic channels linked to documented contracts and requests.
According to the ministry, using Musaned helps improve transparency, protect the rights of parties involved in employment contracts and reduce transactions with unlicensed intermediaries.
The ministry urged citizens and residents to use Musaned for domestic worker recruitment, service transfers and payments, and to verify the licences of recruitment offices and companies before engaging their services.
It also called on the public to report unlicensed establishments, intermediaries and other violations through the ministry’s unified number, 19911, or its mobile application.