Hi.
I have been working on an offer letter for 14 months and because of COVID I have not taken any vacation. My vacation allowance is 30 calendar days per year and the company currently owes me about 35 days which i want to take in cash.
However, the company is trying to make me sign a new backdated contract that offers only 22 working days vacation per year. Therefore, my cash payment would be about 30% less.
I have refused to sign. Any advice?

This happened to us when I was working for Saudi Arabian Airlines. Not much you can do I think.

Six and half a dozen, deduct weekends from your 30 callendar days and you'll arrive at 22 days pay (30*5/7). I'd sign the contract quickly, so you have entitlement to other benefits like paid redundancy notice, paid sick leave, EOS gratuity, repatriation costs etc. With only an Offer Letter, you have nothing, not even an enforceable entitlement to be paid.

I forgot to say that i am working on a work visit visa and have to leave every 90 days.
Anyway, the company has high turnover of staff, many have quit, and i have a new job starting April 2021, so signing a backdated contract that will give me less pay for unused vacation days is not in my best interest.
Can the company force me to sign or should i call the Labour Department?

I think there's nothing you can do. You don't have a previous contract, just an offer. The fact that you don't have a contract or an iqama after 14 months should tell you the value your employer places in you.

What JohnnyBoy11 said... +1