Human Resources withdraws licenses from 11 recruitment offices and suspends 6 others

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the results of its intensive monitoring campaigns in the recruitment sector during the fourth quarter of 2025, which revealed regulatory violations in a number of establishments. This decisive step comes as part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to regulate the labor market and guarantee the rights of all contracting parties, whether employers or domestic workers.

Details of penalties and observed violations

Official data released by the Ministry revealed that strict regulatory measures were taken against 17 recruitment agencies found to be in violation of the regulations and laws governing the sector. Penalties varied depending on the type of violation and the agencies' responsiveness to the corrective measures. Six agencies had their operations immediately suspended due to serious violations requiring urgent intervention. Conversely, the Ministry issued decisions to permanently revoke the licenses of 11 other agencies after the expiration of the allotted grace period without them taking any action to rectify their situations or address the identified violations.

The violations that were detected varied between non-compliance with the rules for practicing recruitment activity, shortcomings in providing labor services according to the concluded contracts, in addition to delaying the return of the financial amounts due to clients, and ignoring the handling of complaints submitted against them at the specified times.

Context of regulating the recruitment market and its importance

These measures are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy adopted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to develop the domestic worker sector in the Kingdom. This regulatory overhaul aims to eliminate unregulated practices and the black market, and to promote transparency in financial and contractual transactions. These efforts are a cornerstone for improving the urban and economic landscape, as the discipline of recruitment agencies contributes to the stability of Saudi families and provides a safe working environment for expatriate workers, which positively impacts the reputation of the Saudi labor market regionally and internationally.

The role of the "Musaned" platform and the protection of rights

In a related context, the Ministry emphasized the importance of using official, approved channels, most notably the "Musaned" platform. This national platform plays a pivotal role in regulating the recruitment process, allowing users to access agency ratings, pricing information, and electronically document contracts to guarantee their rights. The adoption of digital technology in this sector has significantly contributed to reducing labor disputes and expediting litigation procedures or amicable settlements.

The ministry urged all beneficiaries not to hesitate to report any violations or suspicious practices they may encounter with recruitment offices, by calling the unified number (920002866) or using the “Musaned” smartphone application, stressing that community oversight is a key partner in the success of regulatory efforts.