The Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah has thrown into doubt the validity of the unified contract only two days before it was scheduled to come into effect. The Consulate said the contract, which would govern the working conditions of Indonesian house workers in the Kingdom, could not be implemented as it does not stipulate any official body which workers can refer to should disputes arise with their Saudi employees. Some clauses are also said to conflict with the Indonesian Constitution which covers the protection of Indonesian nationals both abroad and at home. Muhammed Al-Muhammadi, Chairman of the National Committee for Recruitment, said local recruitment agencies reserve the right to deal directly with Indonesian recruitment agencies without consulting the committee. His comments cast doubt over scheduled enforcement date of Feb. 29. Local recruitment agencies have already signed agreements with Indonesian agencies based on the contract. The number of Indonesian house workers in the Kingdom is said to be between 700,000 and 750,000, roughly 65 percent of the total. To break the Indonesian monopoly, the committee reached agreements with Ethiopia, and others in Central Asia to bring skilled and non
