Reference to the gracious Royal Order No. 22393 dated 11/06/1433 H regarding the opening of prepaid accounts (salary card product) for domestic workers as a mechanism for the employer to deposit the monthly salary for domestic workers into prepaid accounts, in coordination with the Central Bank and the Ministry of Interior. Further to the workshops held with representatives of the banks on 10/06/1436 H and 06/03/1437 H to discuss the mechanism of the product and the developments and sharing of the salary card specifications for this category of workers.

In view of the importance of this national program and its alignment with the Central Bank's strategy aimed at implementing the principle of financial inclusion, reducing the proportion of cash transactions, and developing banking products in line with the needs of the local market, the Central Bank hopes that all participating banks will launch a salary card product for domestic workers in accordance with relevant instructions and regulations, and with the specifications discussed in workshops. This includes following the necessary procedures and required capabilities to handle bank account opening requests, utilizing various banking technologies, ensuring the availability of cash through ATMs, and providing other services required by the program beneficiaries. All banks are expected to be ready to launch the product no later than 01/03/1438 AH, corresponding to 11/30/2016. It should be noted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Development will work on obligating sponsors—both citizens and residents—to open prepaid bank accounts for their domestic workers and will launch a media campaign to that effect.

For your information and to notify all concerned departments to act accordingly.