New Saudi law gives more protection to expat domestic workers
Filipinos working as domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia stand to benefit from a new law protecting the rights of domestic helpers and employers.
Passed by the Council of Ministers, the law allows nine hours' free time daily, a weekly day-off, one month paid vacation after every two years, and medical leave.
“The law aims at regulating relationship between domestic help and their employers while explaining their rights and duties and punishment for violators of contract terms,” Labor Minister Adel Fakeih said, according to a report on Arab News.
Entry hashtags on Arab News' Twitter account indicated the new law may affect domestic and expatriate workers.
Under the law, employers are to pay the workers' salary at the end of every month without delay, provide suitable accommodation and end-of-service benefits after four years.
On the other hand, the new rules allow the employer to put the worker in probation for up to three months.
Fakeih said this will help the employer assess if the worker can do the job, and get a glimpse of the employee's behavior.
The law also requires the worker to respect the teachings of Islam and Saudi Arabian rules and regulations.
Also, workers should obey the employer and his family members and protect their property. They should not harm children or elderly members, and must preserve family secrets.
“The worker will not have the right to reject a work or leave the job without any genuine reason,” the law added.
“This is a very important law that would solve many domestic help-related issues” said Dr. Mohammed Badahdah, assistant secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.
He stressed Islam rejects the mistreatment of domestic workers.
Violations
The Arab News report said that if the employer violates the contract, he or she will be fined SR2,000 and banned from recruitment for a year.
Second-time violators face a steeper fine of SR5,000, and a ban from recruiting for three years.
Those found violating the law a third time face a lifetime recruitment ban and a fine of SR10,000.
Meanwhile, erring workers may be fined SR2,000 and prevented from working in the Kingdom. They will have to pay for journey back home. - VVP, GMA News
Passed by the Council of Ministers, the law allows nine hours' free time daily, a weekly day-off, one month paid vacation after every two years, and medical leave.
“The law aims at regulating relationship between domestic help and their employers while explaining their rights and duties and punishment for violators of contract terms,” Labor Minister Adel Fakeih said, according to a report on Arab News.
Entry hashtags on Arab News' Twitter account indicated the new law may affect domestic and expatriate workers.
Under the law, employers are to pay the workers' salary at the end of every month without delay, provide suitable accommodation and end-of-service benefits after four years.
On the other hand, the new rules allow the employer to put the worker in probation for up to three months.
Fakeih said this will help the employer assess if the worker can do the job, and get a glimpse of the employee's behavior.
The law also requires the worker to respect the teachings of Islam and Saudi Arabian rules and regulations.
Also, workers should obey the employer and his family members and protect their property. They should not harm children or elderly members, and must preserve family secrets.
“The worker will not have the right to reject a work or leave the job without any genuine reason,” the law added.
“This is a very important law that would solve many domestic help-related issues” said Dr. Mohammed Badahdah, assistant secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.
He stressed Islam rejects the mistreatment of domestic workers.
Violations
The Arab News report said that if the employer violates the contract, he or she will be fined SR2,000 and banned from recruitment for a year.
Second-time violators face a steeper fine of SR5,000, and a ban from recruiting for three years.
Those found violating the law a third time face a lifetime recruitment ban and a fine of SR10,000.
Meanwhile, erring workers may be fined SR2,000 and prevented from working in the Kingdom. They will have to pay for journey back home. - VVP, GMA News
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