"The new companies that will replace the present recruitment agencies would supply workers in a matter of days and put an end to the phenomenon of runaway maids. There is a provision for the employers to get immediate replacements in the event of any maid running away. The law also stipulates regular payment of salaries and a mandatory eight-hour rest for the domestic workers," said Saad Al-Baddah, chairman of the National Committee for Recruitment at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

He was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday following a workshop organized by the Ministry of Labor in Riyadh to discuss the law.

"The discussions of the statute, which is in line with the government's decision to streamline the recruitment process, will be finalized this month and submitted for the approval of the higher authorities," said Mufrej Al-Haqbani, undersecretary for planning and development at the Ministry of Labor.

The participants also discussed how the companies could employ women without compromising Shariah requirements and the nature of relationship between the recruitment companies, employers and workers.

The provision for immediate replacement will solve many difficulties felt by an employer when a housemaid runs away. "People resort to illegal means to get housemaids when they fail to get them legally," the official explained.

The ministry prepared the draft law and made necessary amendments after consultations with experts in the field. It is likely that three recruitment companies, one each for Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, will be set up.

The companies will be responsible for training the workers. They should also provide the workers with accommodation on their arrival in the Kingdom, he said. Some workers will be hired as reserves in order to help reduce the time lag in case of requests for replacements.

However, a representative of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) sought clarifications on some important points before the finalization of the draft law. "We want to know whether the new regulations will apply to all workers or to just a particular segment. We also want to know who will be responsible for the payment of workers' salaries, the company or the employer, and who will guarantee that the workers are given decent accommodations," said NSHR Vice President Mufleh Al-Qahtani.

© Arab News 2008

 

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