The Saudi Labor Law does not only favor the rights and welfare of the saudi employer but also the rights of the household service workers (HSWs). In fact, there are also clauses that penalizes abusive employers. If properly implemented, the Saudi labor law could be beneficial to both parties. Let us look further what the law says about the rights of thousands of domestic workers deployed throughout the Kingdom.
Domestic Labor Rights 1 Daily off-hours
The domestic labor shall be allowed to enjoy a daily rest for at least nine hours a day. 2 Weekly Rest:
The domestic labor may get one day off per week, based on the agreement of the parties in the contract. 3 Medical Care:
Medical Care shall be provided to the domestic labor in accordance with the rules and regulations enforced in the Kingdom. The domestic labor shall be entitled for a paid sick leave not exceeding thirty days per year upon a medical report proving his/her need for the sick leave. Penalties for Violation by the Employer
A fine not exceeding two thousand Riyals, or being prevented from recruiting for one year, or both.
If the violation is repeated, the employer will be punished by a fine of not less than two thousand riyals, and not exceeding five thousand riyals, or prohibited from recruiting for three years, or both.
If the violation is repeated for the third time, the relative committee may prevent the violator from recruitment. The penalty shall multiply by multiplicity of violations proved against the employer. Employer Obligations
The domestic worker is not allowed to work except for what is described in the contract, or work for others, except in cases of necessity, ensuring the work is not substantially different from his/her original work.
The employer is obliged not to assign the domestic labor any risky work to health or safety of his/her body, or negatively affects his/her dignity. Not to sublet the domestic labor, or allow him/her to work for his/her own account.
The employer is obliged to pay the agreed wage at the end of each Hijri month, unless the parties agree -otherwise- in writing.
The employer is obliged to pay the wage and entitlements in cash or by check, and document it in writing, unless the labor wants to transfer the wage to a specific bank account.
The employer is obliged to provide a suitable housing for the domestic labor. The employer is obliged to allow the domestic labor to enjoy a daily rest for at least nine hours a day. The employer is obliged to attend himself/herself - or assign a representative - before the Committee on the dates specified to consider the claim filed against him/her.
The wage of the domestic labor may not be deducted except in the following cases and not with more than half the wage:
Costs of what he/she intentionally or negligently damaged.
A down payment he/she obtained from the employer.
Implementation of a court judgment or an administrative decision issued against him/her, unless it has been stipulated in the court judgment or the administrative decision that the deduction exceeds half the wage.
Employer Rights 1 Contracting
The domestic worker must be provided with a written contract. The Arabic text shall be the prevailing version. The contract and its translation - if any-shall be issued in three copies, with each party retaining a copy and the third one shall be deposited with the Private Recruitment Office.
There should be clear identification of the following main factors: The type of work to be performed by the domestic labor The Wage that the employer shall pay to the domestic labor Rights and obligations of both parties Duration of the probation period Duration of the contract and method of extension.
If the contract expired, or was canceled by the employer for an illegitimate reason, or by the domestic labor for a legitimate reason, the employer shall bear the value of the ticket for repatriation of the domestic labor to his/her country. The Contract shall expire by the death of the employer or the domestic labor. If the employer's family is willing to keep the domestic labor, they will have to check with the labor office to correct the name of the employer. 2 Upon the absence of the domestic labor:
Employer shall report the absence of a worker through Absher or Expatriate Affairs 3 Probation period
The parties may agree to place the domestic labor on probation for a period not exceeding 90 (ninety) days, during which the employer shall ensure the professional competence of the domestic labor and his proper personal conduct.
It is not permissible to put the domestic labor on probation for more than once with the same employer, unless the parties agree that the domestic labor shall work in a different profession.
The employer may terminate the contract upon his own will during the probation period without any responsibility on him, if the domestic labor is proved to be unfit. Source: Saudi Labor Law This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia, Household Service Workers Rights, Abusive Employer Penalty
