It is wise that a legislation has come into being that clarifies the duties and rights of domestic workers and their employers. However, it must be said that there had been a few sad incidents that warranted the passage of such a legislation.

The great majority of Saudi families that can afford domestic servants, treat them with consideration and respect, indeed regard them, especially nannies, as members of the family. These same Saudis will have been revolted and outraged by the stories that have emerged of a few people in the Kingdom who have treated their domestics badly and abused them.

Such reprehensible behavior will hopefully become history with the advent of the new legislation. The law just passed by the Council of Ministers makes very clear what is expected of both parties. Domestics will from now on be able to enjoy at least nine hours of free time every day, have one whole day off every week, be given a month’s paid leave every two years and medical leave as required. Moreover, the employer will not be able to put a domestic servant on probation for more than three months. There have been cases where the “probationary period” has run out to years, during which a family has sought to pay workers a pittance. This will no longer be permitted. Moreover, monthly salaries will be paid on time and in full and proper accommodation must also be provided.

This legislation is however even-handed. Domestic servants have occasionally been known to victimize their employers. Whether it has been through a particularly dominant personality or simple intimidation and thieving, some people who have hired servants have discovered their home life become a nightmare. The new law makes it quite clear that a worker should obey the employer and his family members and protect the family and its property and indeed its confidences. There should be no abuse of any family members, be they the very young or the very old, who would look to servants to support and shield them. In addition domestics may not refuse a particular piece of work, nor quit his or her employment without good reason.

The penalties for breaking the new law appear strong. An employer violating the contract that has been imposed between him and his servants will be fined SR2,000 and be banned for a year from hiring a servant. If a family head is found to be in breach of this regulation a second time, the fine increases to SR5,000 and the ban on recruiting servants extended to three years. For third-time offenders, the fine goes up to SR10,000. For their part, domestic servants who break the law will receive a SR2,000 fine and be expelled from the Kingdom, being obliged to pay for their own repatriation flight.

Certainly the penalties for the domestics represent a serious impact on their earnings and will doubtlessly have an effect on those who abuse the families that have trusted them. Some may wonder however if the fines for employers might not be higher. Also it may be wondered how rigorously proven offenders will be monitored, to make sure that any ban on hiring servants is not circumvented by, for instance, having another family member organize the recruitment.

No doubt the Council of Ministers will also look closely at the mechanism whereby an errant employer’s behavior can be brought to the attention of the authorities’ attention, perhaps by calling an official number to lodge a complaint of abuse. Until now it has sometimes been hard for domestic servants to present their case, with consulate officials perhaps not as responsive as they could be, and police tending to dismiss complaints as coming from troublemakers.

The new legislation however has cast a reforming light upon the whole issue of the relationship between servants and their employers and is therefore a highly positive and most welcome development. It also shows the Kingdom’s strong commitment toward protecting and safeguarding the rights of those who are vulnerable in society.