This information comes despite widespread rumors originating from Jakarta claiming an end to the recruitment ban on the country and that normal service would commence sometime next month.

Widespread rumors found online and in some local Saudi papers were debunked by the authorities on Tuesday.

“We haven’t received any notification to that effect. The recruitment of laborers such as house cleaners and helpers from both the Philippines and Indonesia is still closed. Recruitment from many other countries is open,” National Recruitment Committee Director Saad Al-Badah told Arab News.

Al-Badah added that until ongoing issues between the two sides are resolved, the recruitment ban would remain in place.

"There are ongoing negotiations with the Philippines, and these might last for many months. However, nothing has been finalized yet," said Al-Badah.

Ministry of Labor spokesman Hattab bin Saleh Al-Anzi said: “When an agreement is reached with the Indonesian side, the Ministry of Labor will announce it immediately. However, this hasn't happened. There are ongoing negotiations with the Philippine and Indonesian sides on recruiting non-domestic cleaners and laborers."

A source at the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah told Arab News on Tuesday: “The consulate is aware of these claims published in the local media based on information from Jakarta. We are trying to verify the source of this information.”

Earlier this year the Saudi Ministry of Labor issued a halt on issuing visas to workers from the Philippines and Indonesia after the two countries imposed new conditions on labor recruitment to Saudi Arabia. Some of the conditions were seen as not confirming with Saudi traditions and privacy norms.