Indonesia's ministry of manpower has denied recent reports that the government will soon lift its ban on domestic workers to the region.  Several local newspapers had reported that Saudi and Indonesia cemented a deal to protect the rights of new recruits. The reports indicated that the ban could be lifted in time for Ramadan, when demand for domestic workers is particularly high.

Indonesia banned workers to the GCC and wider Middle East last year, following a number of highly publicized abuses against workers. However, Indonesian domestic workers are still finding work in the region through unofficial routes.