New rules for PH domestic workers in Saudi

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Saudi Arabia reached a final agreement on rules and regulations for the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers in the kingdom, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday, March 19.

The agreement “seeks to protect the rights of both the worker and the employer and regulate the contractual relations between them,” a statement said.

The new rules also cover the “regulation and/or control of the domestic recruitment costs in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, grant to the parties the right of recourse to competent authorities in case of contractual disputes and provide for legal measures against recruitment entities for violation of applicable laws, rules and regulations.”

Saudi Arabia in September 2012 lifted a year-long ban on the hiring of Filipino domestic workers after agreeing to a $400 monthly minimum wage, a key demand of the Philippine government.

The row between both countries over the issue erupted in June 2011, when Manila insisted the minimum wage for its maids was necessary to protect them from exploitation. Riyadh rejected the demand and suspended the processing of new employment contracts.

Saudi Arabia is a major employer of Filipinos, with 1.2 million working there as labourers, technicians, salesgirls and domestic helpers.

The agreement will come into effect when it is signed by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and her Saudi counterpart Adel Fakieh. – with reports from Carlos Santamaria & Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com