1,360 licenses issued for collective housing for one million foreign workers

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has recently issued 1,360 licenses for collective housing to accommodate approximately one million foreign workers. This new regulatory framework aims to enhance the development of collective housing and provide safe, sustainable living conditions for these workers in the Kingdom.

The authorities have emphasized that providers of collective housing services must adhere to unified municipal, technical, health, and safety standards to ensure efficient management and a high standard of living for foreign workers.

Under the new rules, commercial establishments housing 20 or more workers are obligated to provide licensed collective housing, or find alternative approved accommodations meeting the required standards. In 2025, the National Program for the Development of Collective Housing will spearhead the implementation of this framework, aiming to improve the labor housing system and enhance the quality of life for workers, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030.

This program unites ten government entities to monitor compliance with municipal, technical, health, and safety standards in licensed establishments through inspection campaigns and awareness initiatives.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing highlighted that this framework reflects the Kingdom's commitment to safeguarding workers' rights and elevating their living standards. By adopting a strict, compliance-based approach with intensified field oversight and enhanced joint government cooperation, the Kingdom is striving to create secure and dignified living environments that align with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives.