http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=103555&d=15&m=11&y=2007&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
The Middle East's Leading English Language Daily
Thursday 15 November 2007 (05 Dhul Qa`dah 1428)
Hiring of Indonesian Maids Poses Problems
Arab News -
MAKKAH, 15 November 2007 - Saad Al-Baddah, chairman of the
National Committee for Recruitment (NCR), an affiliate of the Council of the
Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, warned local recruitment offices
against bringing Indonesian maids into the Kingdom at higher wages sidestepping
negotiations between Saudi and Indonesian authorities to settle an ongoing wage
dispute.
A dispute on the recruitment of housemaids erupted several
months ago after Indonesian authorities demanded a minimum monthly salary of
SR800 for maids working in the Kingdom.
Describing the move as "unilateral" and "illogical," Saudi
recruitment agents said the hiring of Indonesian maids would become expensive,
as agents already spend a minimum of SR2,000 in visa fees.
Al-Baddah, who has been striving to resolve the issue, said
the NCR hopes to make an agreement with Indonesian authorities in two weeks. He
said an Indonesian delegation would be arriving in the Kingdom next week to
defuse the crisis, Al-Madinah reported.
While Saudi recruitment agencies refused to accept the
demands for higher wages, the NCR proposed that a newly recruited maid would be
eligible for a monthly salary of SR700, a maid with previous experience of
working in the Kingdom would be eligible for SR750, and maids who renew their
contracts with their sponsors would be eligible for SR800.
The NCR also demanded in its proposal that the Indonesian
side should guarantee a supply of trained maids that do not run away, refuse
work, or cancel contracts. "So far, we haven't received any positive response
from the other side," Al-Baddah said, adding that the committee was acting to
protect the interests of Saudi citizens.
He added that appropriate penal action would be taken against
the recruiting agencies, which make agreements with their Indonesian
counterparts undermining the efforts of the NRC.
"Most of the recruitment agencies are cooperating with us.
The numbers of agencies that do not cooperate with us are few," the official
said.
--
I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users.
It has removed 127 spam emails to date.
Paying users do not have this message in their emails.
Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len
<<logo.gif>>
<<pixel.gif>>
