MOST SAUDI FAMILIES PREFER TO HAVE INDONESIAN MAIDS

Jeddah, 15 Shawwal 1434/21 August 2013 (MINA) – A study conducted by King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) has revealed that 27.5 percent of Saudi families prefer Indonesian maids.

While 17.3 percent prefer Filipinos. The study based its findings on a survey of 1,000 families. It was conducted by the KACND as an experimental research on the role of maids in Saudi society, Saudi Gazette quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Wednesday.

The study, which will form the basis for other future studies with respect to other social issues.

The survey also indicated that Saudi families were not confident that these maids had received proper training. About 69 percent of the families believe that the newly recruited maids are not receiving appropriate training, while 18 percent were satisfied with the pre-employment training imparted to maids.

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Seventy-six percent of the participants agreed that maids have an influence on the behavior of their sponsor’s children. About 70 percent believe that there has been an increase in the number of domestic helpers in the Kingdom.

About 46 percent of the respondents believe that this was due to an increase in the number of working women who need maids to help in their house chores, while 23 percent believe that it was due to expanding families.

Forty-two percent of respondents did not have an opinion on the newly formed recruitment companies, as there was not enough information available to them.

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On delayed payment of wages and other working terms, 57 percent of respondents said they were paying salaries to their maids on time, and 31 percent acknowledged that several maids are deprived of a weekly day-off.

A month ago, Saudi Arabia Minister of Labor set the new rules require employers to pay domestic helpers “the agreed monthly salary without delay, and give them a day off each week.”

Under the new guidelines, workers are entitled to paid sick leave and a one-month paid vacation after putting in two years of work as well as end of service compensation equal to one month salary after four years.

The employer has no right to compel domestic helpers to do a job that does not come under the purview of the labor contract. The regulations also prevent the employer from forcing the worker to do any jobs that are harmful to his/her health. Employers should respect the workers’ honor and not compel them to work under anyone else.

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According to the new regulations, the domestic helper shall complete a probation period of not more than three months during which the employer can assess his or her performance and behavior.

The regulations also stipulate that domestic helpers must respect Islam and its teachings and obey the orders of the employers and their family members concerning getting the agreed work done. (T/P09/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)