The memorandum of understanding signed between the National Recruitment Committee and the Sri Lankan Workers Union sets Sept.10 as the date for implementing new recruitment fees for domestic workers. The new costs are $1,000 for Sri Lankan recruitment offices and SR5,500 for Saudi recruitment offices. About SR8,000 will be charged for a Muslim Sri Lankan housemaid without a visa and SR4,500 for a non-Muslim housemaid without a visa. The commission for a Sri Lankan driver will be $200 for the Sri Lankan office and SR2,500 for the Saudi office. The National Committee for Recruitment said it brought the charges to reasonable levels after it noticed a rise in recruitment charges from Sri Lanka that harmed the nation and its citizens. The agreement includes a procedure to ensure that the new cost structure is followed. Saudi recruitment offices that want to recruit Sri Lankan workers will be required to provide a letter, which must be signed by the office owner, pledging to abide by the new charges. The letter must be attested at the chamber of commerce and a copy of the office's license must be provided.
