JEDDAH: The crisis involving the recruitment of domestic workers from Indonesia has not yet been resolved, said Muneef Al-Dahmashi, Deputy Chairman of the National Committee for Recruitment. Al-Dahmashi told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that Saudi nationals should be patient and not get visas for domestic workers from Indonesia because they may get stuck and not get any employees. He asked them to be patient until problems are cleared up. He said the situation could clear only after July 12 meeting between the National Committee for Recruitment and the Indonesian “Asma” Federation. The meeting comes after the signing of a memorandum of good intentions by Adel Fakieh, the Saudi Minister of Labor with Muhammad Jumhoor Hidayat, Chairman of the National Commission for Employment and Protection of Indonesian Workers' Rights. In the memorandum, it was agreed to lay down new regulations for the export of workers to the Kingdom and to discuss the implementation of insurance for all domestic workers. In an earlier interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Hidayat confirmed that the Indonesian government would lay down new rules regarding working conditions for Indonesian workers in the Kingdom. This includes workers having to undergo medical and psychological tests to determine their readiness for work. This and other measures such as the insurance system are expected to cut down on the number of domestic workers running away from their sponsors. As for price-fixing by brokers in Jakarta, Hidayat said the implementation of the insurance system would curb their tampering, especially after prices drop and fall within the $1,500 range. “We agreed to improve regulations for the employment and protection of Indonesian workers, to form a government umbrella (body) through which the agreement between the two parties would be implemented including the memorandum of good intentions, which we signed and would come into force in the coming few months, provided this period does not exceed six months.” “From our side in Indonesia, we will continue to improve and train workers interested to work in the Kingdom and teach them the Arabic language. Meanwhile, the Kingdom will continue to improve protection for workers. A center for receiving complaints around-the-clock ought to be set up. The insurance system will be implemented for workers. This will contribute to getting rid of current problems.”
