JEDDAH – The agreement on labor cooperation with India that will be signed on Thursday in New Delhi will regulate the relationship between the employer and the employee and set the responsibilities and duties of each party, said Minister of Labor Adel Fakieh. In an interview with Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Fakieh talked about the importance of his visit to India and the unique relations between Saudi Arabia and India. He said the visit will enhance the strategic bilateral relations. Fakieh said there are economic, social, cultural, and historical common ties between the Kingdom and India. Moreover, over a million Indian expatriates live and work in the Kingdom. They have not only contributed in the country's overall development and progress, but have also benefitted by improving the welfare of their families back home. This agreement will benefit the majority of the Indian workforce in the Kingdom as well as Saudi employers, who wish to recruit domestic helpers from India, Fakieh said, adding that the agreement protects the rights of each party. Only licensed recruitment companies will be allowed to facilitate the hiring of Indian workforce, the minister said. “We didn't face any hurdles during our negotiations with the Indian side,” Fakieh said. The minister said the Cabinet approved the regulations on domestic workers in July 2013. The regulations have taken into consideration the rights of the employer and the employee as well as the nature of job. The agreement, which only allows recruitment of domestic helpers, will regulate recruitment costs and impose penalties on violators. It stipulates that Indian employees should meet health requirements and should not have criminal records. Once the agreement is formalized, workers will be governed by Saudi labour laws and they will enjoy the privileges and rights granted under the local regulations. It will also help in streamlining the labor market.
