- Saudi Arabia has outlined allowances available to eligible foreign workers employed under specific Ministry contract regulations, including housing, furnishing, transport and air tickets
- The housing allowance is set at three months' salary, with a minimum of SAR 8,000 (KSh 273,600), while the furnishing allowance equals 50% of the worker's monthly salary
- Monthly transport support ranges from SAR 300 (KSh 10,260) to SAR 400 (KSh 13,680), depending on salary, although some workers may receive transport directly instead of cash
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Saudi Arabia has detailed a package of allowances and benefits available to eligible foreign workers employed under its Ministry contract regulations, covering accommodation, furniture, transportation and air travel.
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The benefits are intended to support workers during their employment in the Kingdom. However, eligibility depends on the applicable contract regulations, meaning the allowances should not automatically be assumed to apply to every foreign worker in Saudi Arabia.
Article 17 of the relevant contract regulations outlines the air-ticket benefits available to eligible non-Saudi workers.
Saudi Arabia outlines air-ticket benefits for foreign workers
Under the reported regulations, the Ministry covers the cost of an eligible worker's initial flight from their home country to Saudi Arabia when their contract begins.
The Ministry also covers the return journey to the worker's home country when the contract ends.
Workers who were already living in Saudi Arabia when they were appointed are not eligible for the initial ticket from their home country.
The report also states that eligible workers receive a return air ticket to their home country once a year when taking their regular annual leave during the contract period.
These benefits are subject to the conditions of the applicable employment regulations and contract.
The reported housing allowance is equivalent to three months of the worker's salary, with a minimum payment of SAR 8,000 (KSh 273,600).
The allowance is paid as a lump sum at the beginning of the contract and at the start of each renewal year, according to the report.
However, workers who receive accommodation arranged by the Ministry are not entitled to the separate housing allowance.
The regulations also address situations involving a female worker accompanied by a male mahram, a close male relative whom she cannot marry under Islamic law. In such cases, the report states that only one housing allowance is paid, going to whichever of the two earns the higher salary.
In addition to housing support, eligible workers receive a one-off furnishing allowance equivalent to 50% of their monthly salary at the beginning of the contract.
Monthly transport allowances in Saudi Arabia
The Ministry also provides monthly transport support to eligible workers to help cover the cost of travelling to their duty stations.
According to the published figures, the allowance is divided into three salary categories:
- Workers earning less than SAR 2,000 receive SAR 300 (KSh 10,260) per month.
- Workers earning between SAR 2,001 and SAR 3,500 receive SAR 350 (KSh 11,970) per month.
- Workers earning more than SAR 3,500 receive SAR 400 (KSh 13,680) per month.
In some cases, the Ministry may arrange suitable transportation directly instead of paying the monthly cash allowance.
The reported salary brackets do not specify the allowance for someone earning exactly SAR 2,000 or SAR 3,500, so workers should confirm how their salary is classified under the applicable rules.
Do the allowances apply to all foreign workers in Saudi Arabia?
The allowances outlined in the report relate to specific Ministry contract regulations and should not be treated as universal benefits for every foreign national employed in Saudi Arabia.
For example, Kenyan workers recruited by a Saudi government ministry or public institution may qualify if their appointments fall under the relevant regulations. Kenyans employed by private companies or as domestic workers may be covered by different employment rules and contractual arrangements.
Foreign workers should therefore check their employment contracts and confirm the applicable benefits with their employer or Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The official ministry website is available at hrsd.gov.sa.
Saudi Arabia lists benefits for Kenyan workers seeking jobs abroad
TUKO.co.ke reported that Saudi Arabia announced job opportunities for Kenyan workers through the National Youth Service, with employment packages that include accommodation, transport and air tickets.
Successful applicants were also offered medical insurance, paid annual leave and end-of-service benefits under the advertised contracts.
The available positions included forklift operators, warehouse pickers and fisheries sales associates.
Source: Legit.ng