The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has alerted Saudis going abroad of possible claims of abuse by their maids traveling with them.

The ministry said a rising number of workers have been filing false claims against their Saudi employers to gain residence in the country they visit, or for malicious purposes.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday, the ministry said the cases are usually filed in countries such as the United States, that allow residency based on foreign workers’ complaints of long working hours, oppression, human trafficking, illegal home detention, underpayment, forced labor, lack of medical coverage, or other reasons deemed eligible for residency.

The ministry said some also seek large amounts of money in compensation. It said all such allegations have been refuted after investigations.

The ministry said Saudis should inform their workers that laws in the United States and Europe have heavy penalties for false claims.

The ministry advised Saudi sponsors to contact their embassy for legal assistance.

Domestics often resort to such allegations when they want to stay longer in the visited country or when they feel that their services would no longer be needed, the statement added.