Saudi Gazette report

HAIL — Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution has intervened in the case of a runaway maid servant who was allegedly beaten by three women and a man in the Hail region. The Public Prosecution has instructed the concerned security agencies to complete the investigation procedures and refer the case to it according to articles 24, 27, and 28 of the Code of Criminal Procedures.

An official source at the Public Prosecution stated that it had intervened in the matter following publication of a report in a newspaper about the assault incident. According to the press report, the domestic worker ran away from her sponsor and started working illegally at another household. She was assaulted by three women and a man at that home while she was working for them without any legal document. This prompted them to exploit the housemaid, as well as to assault her and drive her out of the house after denying her legal rights.

The Public Prosecution also directed to hand over the domestic worker to a shelter home so that she can receive the necessary care in accordance with Article 15 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.

The source stressed that assaulting or exploiting housemaids is a felony that warrants criminal accountability of the perpetrator while underlining the need to adhere to the regulations and laws governing the relationship between employers and workers. The source also noted that the failure to comply with these regulations may result in the exploitation of the worker or committing felony or depriving her rights guaranteed by the law.