By Dr. Mohammed Al-Bishr
Al-Jazirah
EXPATRIATE workers have come to the Kingdom to earn a living. They have come on the basis of a work contract signed by their Saudi employers. It is imperative on both parties to fulfill the terms and conditions of that contract.
Some of these expatriates work hard and extend their services to the best of their ability for a salary they deserve. Some others among them would be lazy and the salary they receive would be more than what they actually deserve. Any employer will have the right to fire or replace such lazy workers.
There is nothing unusual in this. In this article I would like to highlight the important role of Saudi employers in dealing with foreign guest workers and fulfilling their moral, financial and legal obligations toward these workers, who have come to our country from different parts of the world to make a living.
It is unfortunate that some Saudi employers treat their foreign workers badly and do not pay their salaries and financial dues on time. I am happy to say that the number of such employers is very few compared to those who fulfill their obligations as per the work contract.
I like to focus on this small minority who do not pay the rights of their workers. They should know that it is their moral and legal responsibility to pay the dues of their workers without fail. It is not a favor from the part of employers toward their employees but an obligation.
Saudi employers must deal with their workers with kindness and humaneness following the great example from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is enough for us what Anas Bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who served the Prophet for many years and other close companions have said about the Prophet’s kind treatment of them.
It is painful to know that some Saudi employers do not provide servants in their household with enough food. It is the responsibility of the house owner to feed their workers from what they themselves eat. They should also provide them with the required healthcare and allow them sufficient rest, especially when they are sick.
We know the positive impact of a smile or a few good words on our friends, relatives and colleagues. If we treat our workers in the same manner it would encourage them to work even harder. It would also reduce their pain of living in a foreign country, leaving behind their parents, wives and children back home.
We should greet them in the morning and evening and thank them for whatever work they do. If we praise them for a work well done it would definitely encourage them to excel in their work. Allah Almighty will surely reward us for treating our workers nicely as they are part of His creations.
We should not forget that some of our forefathers had left their homeland years ago and worked abroad as laborers and divers, not to become rich but just to earn a living. They used to earn very little amounts working in the households of the rich. We should not forget those difficult days.
How beautiful will be the pardon given by a person having an upper hand to a worker who has committed a mistake.
Ibn Zaydun once asked the governor of Cordoba: “What is that big mistake that you cannot forgive.” He was suggesting that we should be ready to forgive any mistake by a worker under our authority.
We Saudis must be ready forgive the mistakes of foreign workers who have come from different parts of the world to earn money to support their families back home, finance education of their children and cultivate fruitful trees. You may also receive its fruits directly or indirectly.
We know that some of these foreign workers are really bad in their dealings and attitude. Fortunately, the number of such bad people is also very small compared to the good ones. We should make sure that those foreigners who are decent and work efficiently should be given their full rights and financial dues. They also deserve our humanitarian treatment.
