The Shoura Council members of Saudi Arabia have called for an investigation into the reasons why 86,000 housemaids ran away from their employers in one year alone.
They observed that it was a serious problem having adverse effects on the local economy and security as well, Arab News reported on Thursday.
Abdullah Al-Otaibi, vice-president of the health committee, suggested the formation of a special committee to study the recruitment file and find a solution.
Read More: KSA to blacklist employers for abusing housemaids
Some claim that housemaids run away from their employers but a local community leader said that they escape because of non-payment of salaries, lack of food and maltreatment. Based in Hail, this community leader has been involved in helping housemaids after they run away from their employers.
In March, the Saudi Labour Ministry said they would publish a blacklist of employers and recruitment offices accused of abuses in dealing with domestic workers. The names would be published on Musaned, the government website about licensed recruitment offices.
The move is aimed at protecting rights of the housemaids and eliminating the malpractice by recruitment agencies and citizens alike.
Also Read: KSA to recruit 10,000 workers every month for free
Many Bangladeshi women returned home from Saudi Arabia after two to three months. They alleged that the employers had abused or tortured them severely and paid less than the contract money.
Saudi Arabia has absorbed the largest number – 2.63m workers between 1976 and 2008 – from Bangladesh.
Saudi Arabia resumed importing workers from Bangladesh on February 10 this year lifting a ban slapped in 2008. According to the agreement, Saudi Arabia will take 10,000 workers every month, initially only the female domestic workers.
KSA Labour Ministry under fire
The Shoura members also slammed the Ministry of Labour for its performance, including the implementation of the employment strategy endorsed by the Cabinet six years ago, Arab News website said.
Fadwa Abu Mureefah warned of malpractice in the recruitment file that goes against Saudi citizens. Mureefah also asked about the “delay in addressing the problem on recruitment and that why the Kingdom is still experiencing difficulties and obstacles on this issue.”
“Are there problems in activating the agreements signed by the Ministry of Labour to expand the number of countries exporting labour?” she said.
She also called for the generation of jobs with good salaries.
Mansour Al-Kredes called on the Labour Ministry to clarify its position on the matter and asked about the problems of unemployment. He added that it’s the ministry’s responsibility to control the labour market and address the problems that include unemployment among Saudi citizens.
Records show that the labour force in the Kingdom is 11,912,209-strong but of the number, only 47% are Saudis while 57% are foreigners.
