All contractors and subcontractors subject to sections 290.210 to 290.340 shall make full payment of the required wages in legal tender, without any deduction for food, sleeping accommodations, transportation, use of small tools, or any other thing of any kind or description. This section shall not apply where the employer and employee enter into an agreement in writing at the beginning of said term of employment covering deductions for food, sleeping accommodations, or other similar items, provided such agreement is submitted by the employer to the public body awarding the contract and the same is approved by such public body as fair and reasonable.