Filipinos welcome new rules to protect HSWs

The Filipino migrant rights group Migrante-Middle East and affiliate groups in Saudi Arabia have welcomed new rules aimed at protecting household service workers (HSWs) recently published by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Labor.
Saudi Arabia last week approved the Household Regulations on Service Workers and Similar Categories, under Resolution No. 310.
“Our advocacy and campaign to ensure domestic workers’ rights, welfare and safety has paid off. We’ve got positive action from the authorities and would like to convey our appreciation to the host government,” M-ME regional coordinator John Monterona told Arab News.
Monterona said it had been a tough task to run the campaign that had led to the passing of the regulations. He said this was a vital lifeline for many workers and would go some way to protect them from abuse. The regulations ensure workers are protected under Saudi law but now require the authorities to monitor and ensure compliance by sponsors, he said.
He said the new rules outline the rights and obligations of employers and household service workers. However, workers are still in a vulnerable position under the sponsorship system that requires all skilled and unskilled laborers to have sponsors responsible for their visas and legal status, he said.
Monterona said the regulations would help ensure the payment of a minimum monthly salary of SR1,500, accommodation and daily rest of at least nine hours. Sponsors also have to personally attend, or send a representative to any court case or mediation arising out of a complaint, and should not “rent out” workers to others.
In turn, workers are required to work as best they can, not refuse tasks or leave their employers’ service without legitimate reasons, respect Islam, observe Saudi law, take care of their employers’ property, and not harm family members, including children and the elderly.
“We will help disseminate the new rules to educate not only household service workers but also their employers. We will continue to monitor and report abuse and maltreatment,” he said.