Treat them like sheep no more
Indonesia has told Saudi Arabia and the others it would allow its domestic workers to return to the oil-rich Gulf Kingdom only after it agrees to raise their monthly wages by at least 40 per cent and allow them to work a maximum eight hours a day.
Employers must also stop the practice of keeping the maid’s passport and give her a day holiday every Friday.
“The proposed job contract also stipulates that employers must mention their address, type of house, size and number of floors, family income and a picture
showing all members of that family….the contract, a copy of which must be sent to the Indonesian embassy, should also include a certificate of good conduct for the employers and other family members as well as a statement pledging to treat their workers nicely, refrain from any violence and respect human rights.”
The Kingdom has been under fire from local and foreign human rights groups over the death of some housemaids, who have been reportedly killed by their employers.
http://www.emirates247.com/news/region/indonesia-sets-tough-terms-for-ma...
i have little reservation about it cause absence and as usual people doing protest against them and we know online help with math and should be official take decision quickly
i don't consider but it was really due to some absence and people protest against them buys research papers and i think so it was resolve able matter but gov delay in this cause.
what will happen when all expat leave qatar? dun dun dun dunnnnn..
If Qatar is smart enough, they should be making progress in that area (human rights),” she said. “I’m optimistic, I think the situation is getting better. I think education plays a big role. But there’s a lot of work that still needs to be done.” How I wish Al Jazeera channel would devote more time to such issues back home then things beyond their control in far away places
Okay here you go -
"In fact, the Indian government prohibited Indian maids from working in Qatar because of widespread mistreatment, including sexual harassment, physical abuse and refusal to pay their salaries, said Zayed Al Shemali, executive director of Jassim Manpower Agency.
Although Indian maids, who used to be in high demand because they are considered hard working – are not allowed to work in Qatar, some employers have found a way to get around the ban. Rashid Al Hajri, a Brigadier of the Immigration Department in Qatar, said that Indian maids are allowed in the country as visitors using a visit visa, which is valid for two months. Families who want Indian maids then change the visit visa to a working visa, allowing the maids to stay for a longer period of time."
http://www.dohastories.org/?p=153
....not sure how your friend got a Indian maid visa. Perhaps they are not on a 'maid' - kadamaa visa. I've been informed that the embassy /government does not allow and also the Qatar government has stopped the category of Indian 'kadamaa' visa. I was just not able to obtain one with all the Wasta - maybe I should have pushed some more. Besides final obstacle was that one cannot get a kadamaa visa from your nation.
Anyways I think my maid is very happy, as her brother out here keeps thanking me - she saves 99 % of her Salary, eats the same food and enjoys amenities as us - she was in Saudi before and has told us stories. Initially there were communication issues, she did not know how to cook - she's picked up all that and is part of our family. We are extremely thankfull to have her.
The Saudi Arabian people will never consider as a human-being to these Indonesians maids. I have been working in the kingdom more than 11years, I know them very well, they have no soft corner for any foreigners there in the kingdom, they treat the workers like slaves. The rules and laws implement only on foreigners, the local people enjoy the freedom only.
There is a lot to say but it’s enough for them who have been living there or live there now….. God Bless all of us….
......
LP said "Indonesia is NOT poor, it has a GDP of over a trillion US $!!"
You have intention to play with numbers or you are just plain cut-n-paste kinda guy?
GDP per capita what counts, not the over all GDP, as Indonesia is a highly populated country.
The same reference gives the rank of 158, that is after Syria and Morocco to name few.
That is so true LP! TFS for sharing the link. I checked it out. Indonesia may not be poor as you said, but the majority of Indonesians are because of their corrupted government.
http://imo.thejakartapost.com/webgoogler/2011/01/25/indonesia-a-rich-country-or-a-poor-country/
Indonesia is NOT poor, it has a GDP of over a trillion US $!! It belongs to the ten or twelve countries in the world with a GDP over a trillion!
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/id.html
Indonesia had taken a good step ...
Maids are not animals .....they are doing one of the great job helping all mothers ...
Good job
Nice step. I agree with the minimum wage.
Having said that, I wonder how the Indonesian govt. can control that situation. What if one such Indonesian woman says she is visiting another country, say Singapore, and after she is allowed to board the plane, she later travels to Saudi Arabia. Given the poor economic situation in those countries, some people would rather be out of their countries and work for peanuts and be satisfied that they are provided with at least some housing, food and money( at least some) to send to their family back home. There will be some unscrupulous people out there who can exploit this situation and make travelling to KSA possible. For example, I hear from my Indian friends that there are some people who took loans to pay agencies to get them in the M.E. How true that is, I don't know. But it can still happen. As i get to understand and from a few posts above, some people are coming here on business via and once they are here they start finding jobs even the salary is poor.
This is not a complete solution. I don't think so.
Minimum wages should be QR 2000 because limiting the working hours to 8 hours work for a live in maid is practically not possible. These maids have to work 12 to 14 hours a day no matter what.
The most important point which the Indonesian government missed out is the freedom to go out and meet the Indonesian Embassy whenever they wish. Passports should be with the maids and they should be free to terminate their contract anytime. This will ensure better treatment of maids by the employers.
nice steps......
Philippines already band maids too i guess..
my cousin in Saudi, cannot sponsor nor hire a maid for hes two kids..
and i hope it will be permanent..
Of course I know that Indians want Indian maids, preferably from the same place in India that they are from.
So I guess they have to find a way....or starve...:P
I see.
I am guessing that many are local hires. Some are brought over as "relatives" and others through Wasta or backhanders.
Feb..no, i can't ask them....they are "upstanding" members of the Indian community...it would be inappropriate.
Why do you not ask your friends I am sure they will tell you as you are their friend.
People come through illegal ways.Now do not ask how As I do not know may be something like how We come on Business Visa etc
black channel yaani black way
It means that whatever rule they make, it doesn't work as it should.
Feb...I do not know when this ban was initiated, but those maid are not old...and have not been here for more than 3 years...for sure! In fact, one came here only one year ago.
And what is a "black channel"?
So, they are either black or old?
They come through the black channel or may be thy were here before the ban
Feb...how come there are plenty of Indian maids around then? Mainly employed by Indians.
I know of at least 3 only on my compound.
Are you sure you are an Indian?
Indian Government has banned Maids to gulf long long long time back
Shame on you
-:)
Good move by Indonesia, hope other countries also follow the path, the success rate of these terms depends on how they are monitored and implemented.
read LP's comments for further clarifications
Baburao-Gandpat... why dont you take a break. This issue is relevant not only to Saudi but to the other countries in the GCC as abuses against this poor, innocent and helpless employess goes on and on, on a regular basis and some of them never get to return home alive.
repetition - No issue for Qatar or QatarLiving. Or is Saudi all of a sudden Qatar?
Well here's an article from May:
http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/saudi-rejects-indonesia-demand-for-maid-salary-rise-2012-05-23-1.459889
“The negotiations have hit a snag again after the Saudi side rejected demands by Indonesia to raise the monthly wage of its maids in the Kingdom by 60 per cent,” the Saudi Arabic language daily Anbakum said.It said Jakarta wanted the minimum salary for its domestic workers in Saudi Arabia to be SR1,200 while Riyadh insists on SR800."
So, based on that, the minimum wage for maids right now is roughly 720 Saudi Riyal a month... :S
woah look whose back welcome miss mimi
That was a clever thought, MM. No, they should define a minimum wage like SR 5,000 or something. 40% of nothing are nothing. Lol!
So a 40% wage raise on nothing is....
Agree with LP !
Everyone is free to complain..its your birth right..lol
Blah, blah, blah. Using your argument, FS, everything is relevant to Qatar and QatarLiving, because there is always one person on QatarLiving who has an interest in it. I just wanted to indicate that the rule to post only things related to Qatar or QatarLiving is utter nonsense per se. But as long as it exists, you will see me complain.
Indeed a good move by Indonesian Govt!
LP lots of Saudi citizens live in Qatar and few in Qatar living also..:) so its relevant...:)
I am only reminding QatarLiving of its own rules and guidelines!
You know the old saying.. If Saudi sneezes, Qatar catches a cold :O)
No issue for Qatar or QatarLiving. Or is Saudi all of a sudden Qatar?
Great move by the In donesian government. HOWEVER, contracts are worth nothing in this region and monitoring / implementation will not be easy.
:( Shame on India for not taking such steps...
Good, and the Saudi, as well as all GCC, authorities should keep and share previous employment records of the maids as submitted by their past employers. This will eliminate the risk taken by the host family from allowing some criminals enter their houses disguised as maids, as well as ensuring maids have interest in building good work reputation.
Good point,prism. That would be just terrible!
Kewl , hope the others follow too
Great move. Hope other countries wouldn't use it to push in their people.
And that's what all countries should do till those in power do all it takes to end this oppression, injustice and abuse forever!
OMG no Indonesian domestic workers in Saudi? How are they managing then?
Good going on Indonesia :)