Saudi issues new regulations on HSWs

MANILA, Philippines — Saudi Arabia has issued regulations listing the rights and obligations of migrant household service workers and their employers, the Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said Saudi Arabia approved last week Resolution No. 301, or the Household Regulation on Service Workers and Similar Categories.

“I am very much pleased that Saudi Arabia has issued its new regulations on the employment of foreign HSWs,” Baldoz said.

The resolution is an offshoot of an agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia on a standard employment contract for household workers.

The new regulations, said Baldoz, “will certainly boost the protection for our HSWs and enhance their welfare.”

Under the new regulation, HSWs have the following obligations:
•render the work agreed upon and do her best in the performance of her work
•follow orders of the employer and family members relating to the performance of her work
•take care of the employer’s property
•not harm the family members, children, and the elderly
•keep secrets of the employers, family members, and people living in or visiting the employer’s house
•not refuse work or leave the service without legitimate reason
•not affect the dignity of the employer and family members and not interfere in their affairs
•respect the Islamic religion and observe Saudi regulations applied in Saudi Arabia, and the customs and traditions of the Saudi society
•not engage in any activity disadvantageous to the (employer’s) family

On the other hand, employers should:
•not impose work on the household service worker unless the work has been agreed upon, and provided the work does not substantially differ from the original work
•not impose any dangerous work that threatens the health and safety and the human dignity of the HSW
•pay the agreed salary at the end of every month
•pay wage and benefits in cash or check to be documented in writing if the HSW does not want the wage or benefit deposited in a bank account
•provide appropriate accommodation to the HSW
•provide HSW opportunity to enjoy a daily rest of at least nine hours a day
•personally attend or send a representative to answer complaint, if any, of the HSW
•not ‘rent out’ the HSW

HSWs are also entitled to a weekly rest day, one month’s leave after two years of service, paid sick leave of not more than 30 days, health care according to the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia, and end-of-service benefits equivalent to one-month salary after four years.

According to Baldoz, the regulations, if violated also carry stiff penalties for both employers and HSWs.

Employers shall be fined 2,000 Saudi riyals and prevented from recruiting HSWs, while HSWs shall be fined 2,000 Saudi riyals and prevented from working in the Kingdom.

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration offices were already instructed to disseminate the information about the new regulations to all HSWs applicants, in coordination with all licensed recruitment agencies.

Baldoz also directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to include in the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) for HSWs information about the new regulations. –Josine Estuye, Philippine News Agency