The Kingdom’s new labor rules, which govern the relationship between Saudi sponsors and their domestic help, stipulate that written contracts include workers’ salaries and the type of work to be undertaken by them in a bid to protect workers’ rights.

“Employers should not ask their workers to do anything other than what is agreed upon in the contract or work for others,” the law said.

The contract should also explain the rights and duties of both parties, as well as the contract period and methods for renewal.

In addition, employers are not allowed to make any deductions from workers’ salaries except in three cases, which include recovering the cost of items destroyed by workers deliberately, to take back money given in advance and to pay fines issued by courts, the law said, adding that such deductions should not exceed half of any salary.

Workers are also entitled to a month’s paid leave after two years of working and one day off a week.

Workers may be put on probation for a maximum period of 90 days, during which employers can assess efficiency and behavior.

Employers have the right to cancel contracts during the probation period if employees are found to be inefficient.
According to the law, workers are bound to follow work-related orders dished out by their employers or their family members. Workers are also bound to safeguard their employers’ property and not harm children and elderly persons that live in these households or disclose family secrets.

Under the new law, employees should not refuse to work or leave their work without genuine reason or work for their own accounts, in addition to having to respect the Islamic faith and the Kingdom’s regulations.