Saudi Arabia Digitizes Domestic Labor with Musaned Platform for 39 Countries
Riyadh, August 27, 2026: Saudi Arabia has streamlined domestic worker recruitment and employment relationships through the digital platform Musaned. According to an official report by the Saudi Press Agency on August 26, the first half of 2026 saw Musaned facilitate the recruitment of domestic workers across 27 different professions from 39 countries. This digital network currently connects 6,164 foreign recruitment agencies and 721 Saudi recruitment offices. During this period, Musaned processed more than 122,000 service transfer requests and issued over 450,000 contractual insurance policies. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has expanded the number of electronic channels for domestic worker salary transfers to 16. These advancements ensure that recruitment, contracts, wage payments, insurance, and employer changes are conducted with a comprehensive digital trail.
- Musaned facilitates recruitment across 27 professions from 39 countries.
- Network connects 6,164 foreign agencies and 721 Saudi offices.
- Processed over 122,000 service transfer requests in early 2026.
- Issued more than 450,000 contractual insurance policies.
- Electronic salary transfer channels expanded to 16.
Impact on Indian Workers and Recruitment Rules
These changes hold significant implications for Indian domestic workers and families involved in recruitment, as the Indian Embassy in Riyadh enforces specific compliance safeguards for workers traveling to Saudi Arabia. These include mandatory recruitment agency routes, Embassy attestation, eMigrate registration, and specific security conditions for female domestic workers. Regarding recruitment, the 39-country and 27-profession framework does not imply universal eligibility; employers and workers must verify specific bilateral rules, nationality-profession options, and licensed recruitment office status on Musaned. The 122,000 service transfer requests processed in the first half of 2026 aim to reduce informal transfers, undocumented employment, and wage disputes. For Indian workers, adhering to the valid transfer process is critical, as working for an unauthorized employer violates immigration and labor laws.
Insurance and Mandatory Digital Salary Transfers
Furthermore, the 450,000 contractual insurance policies issued underscore the government's effort to provide protection for both parties under employment contracts. As of January 1, 2026, electronic salary transfers became mandatory for all employers, utilizing 16 approved banking and digital wallet channels. This system requires the worker's mobile number to be linked to their residency permit (iqama). The Ministry also manages initiatives including work absence policies, medical insurance, and status rectification grace periods to integrate workers into the documented system. Indian domestic workers, including drivers, must continue to follow all established eMigrate compliance procedures when migrating for employment.