Saudi Arabia Issues 1,360 Licenses for Worker Housing

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing in Saudi Arabia has issued 1,360 licenses for collective housing, which will serve about one million foreign workers in the country. This initiative is part of a new regulatory framework aimed at developing the collective housing sector and ensuring safe and sustainable living environments for foreign workers. The new licenses require collective housing service providers to adhere to unified municipal, technical, health, and safety standards, ensuring efficiently managed living environments. Owners of commercial establishments with 20 or more workers are now required to provide licensed collective housing or secure alternative housing through approved facilities. This framework is part of the National Program for the Development of Collective Housing, launched in 2025, which aims to upgrade labor housing and improve workers' quality of life, aligning with the Quality of Life Program under Saudi Vision 2030. The program includes 10 government entities that monitor compliance with standards and conduct inspection campaigns and awareness initiatives across the Kingdom. The ministry emphasizes that this framework demonstrates the Kingdom's commitment to protecting workers' rights and elevating living standards, reflecting broader efforts to ensure the health, safety, and dignity of the workforce.