Ramadan 2025: Saudi Arabia warns against fake domestic worker ads amid surging demand

Cairo: Saudi labour authorities have issued a warning against misleading advertisements offering domestic worker services at “tempting” prices ahead of Ramadan.

The surge in demand for house helpers during the fasting month has led to a rise in bogus recruitment ads on social media, officials cautioned.

The Musaned platform, the kingdom’s official domestic labour portal, stressed that these offers come from unlicensed entities and urged the public to avoid dealing with unofficial sources.

“People should not be misled by these suspicious advertisements or engage with any unauthorised parties outside the approved platform,” Musaned advised.

In the run-up to Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Saturday, many Saudi households face a recurring issue: the flight of housemaids enticed by higher wages. Illegal recruitment networks are believed to be behind this seasonal trend, luring domestic workers away from their legal employers with promises of better pay.

Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia include housekeepers, drivers, housemaids, cleaners, cooks, guards, farmers, live-in nurses, tutors, and nannies. To regulate the sector, the Ministry of Human Resources has made the Musaned platform the mandatory channel for domestic worker recruitment. The platform provides essential services, including visa issuance, recruitment requests, and contract management, ensuring compliance with Saudi labour laws.

Authorities continue to crack down on unauthorized recruitment, urging citizens and residents to verify all hiring processes through Musaned to avoid legal and financial risks.