Conditions for women improving, more Indians seeking jobs, says Saudi ministry

Indians represent the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia and “welcoming conditions” for women are increasing the kingdom’s appeal for Indian women seeking meaningful employment here, according to the country’s human resources and social development ministry.

Appealing conditions

Comprehensive reforms, expanded workplace support and investments in skills development create welcoming conditions for women. Improved infrastructure and childcare support further enhances the appeal.

Official figures show that as of 2024, over 2.4 million Indian workers reside in the kingdom, with 1.64 million in the private sector and 785,000 in domestic work. Bangladesh has the highest number of expat workers at 2.69 million.

A spokesperson in the ministry said Indian workers, including women, play a vital role in Saudi Arabia’s labour market, comprising a substantial portion of the expatriate workforce.

“Comprehensive reforms, expanded workplace support, and investments in skills development create welcoming conditions for women from diverse backgrounds,” the spokesperson said.

“Improved infrastructure, including women-only transportation and childcare support, further enhances the appeal for Indian women seeking meaningful employment, enabling them to contribute to the kingdom’s growth while pursuing their professional and personal aspirations,” the spokesperson told international media.

Asked about some instances of Indians being duped by agents and touts in India on employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, he said Saudi Arabia is dedicated to upholding international labour standards and has implemented substantial labour reforms to protect workers’ rights.

“To further support these efforts, Saudi Arabia has established bilateral agreements with various countries, including India, to ensure the protection of workers during recruitment, focusing on information exchange, joint investigations, and capacity-building to combat forced labour,” he said.

The Musaned and Qiwa platforms allow workers to file complaints regarding wages, contract terms, or mistreatment, ensuring that these concerns are addressed and, where necessary, legal action is taken, he added.