JEDDAH — The Indonesian government's decision to ban its nationals from working in 21 Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia will not affect the Kingdom as it has expatriates from various nationalities, a senior Saudi official said on Wednesday. Indonesian expatriates constitute only 1 percent of foreign labor in the Kingdom, Saudi Council of Chambers' head of the National Committee for Recruitment Saad Al-Badah was quoted as saying by Makkah Arabic daily. “Indonesian expatriates are typically drivers and workers at private companies in the Kingdom. The Indonesian government's ban will hardly affect us as Saudi Arabia has expatriates from various nationalities,” he said. Indonesian manpower minister Hanif Dhakiri was reported in local media as saying that the ban, which applies to Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, will come into effect in three months' time. Jakarta had already placed a moratorium on sending new domestic helpers to Saudi Arabia in 2011. The new move is meant to be permanent. Maids already working in the affected countries will be allowed to stay and continue in their positions. A source from the Indonesian Embassy's expatriate affairs office in Riyadh said diplomats have not received any official orders yet. “The ban is restricted to housemaids and family drivers only and not all Indonesian expatriates,” said the source. Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor Ahmad Faheed said the ministry treats all expatriates the same and protects the rights of all citizens and foreign workers. He said: “What the media is publishing about Saudi Arabia degrading and abusing expatriates is untrue. “The Kingdom has over 10 million expatriates and they are all dignified in the eyes of the ministry and receive their rightful salaries in addition to the ministry's occasional bonuses.” He added that the ministry offers its services in eight different languages to ensure expatriates can communicate their complaints and problems effectively. He said: “Foreign governments have the right to decide where their citizens go as expatriates. The Indonesian government's decision does not affect the Kingdom in any way. It is not the first time a foreign country has decided to ban recruitment. Bans and agreements are ongoing between countries and are often temporary.”
