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Pinay household workers in Saudi Arabia seek pay hike


Filipino household workers in Saudi Arabia are seeking higher salaries from their employers amid reports that no more maids are coming to the Arab country. No more household workers from the Philippines come to Saudi Arabia, Saudi-based news site Arab News reported Friday. “My maid told me that there are no longer recruitment of Filipino maids. She made me choose between giving her more money and letting her go," said Ibtisam Shalaby, a 53-year-old homemaker. “Of course, I chose to give her an increase because it’s really hard to get a new housemaid and train her in this country," she added. But Abu Ahmad, an employee at a local recruitment office, said the demand for a salary raise is only from Filipino household workers who live and work illegally in the country. Ahmad said those working legally have already “agreed-upon contracts." “We cannot control or make illegal workers sign agreements with employers on fixed salaries. Those housemaids who work with no iqama [work or residency permit] make their demands according to their whims," he said. Long recruitment process Recruitment offices see a very long process to recruit a household worker from the Philippines because of employees’ requests. “When we apply to bring new maids from the Philippines we usually get a list of demands. Maids ask about the houses they will be working in, the size of the house, the number of people in the home, the kind of job they will be offered, and the amount of salary they are going to get paid," said Abu Saleh, a recruitment office manager in Riyadh. He said some of them also ask for health insurance, a mobile phone, and a weekend holiday. “This process can take up to three weeks if not more for all the paperwork to be done and until the maid is finally here to proceed with her work," he said. Employers’ rejection of the requirements means that no new contracts could be processed, the Arab News report said. Last week, Vice President Jejomar Binay visited Saudi Arabia and discussed recruitment issues with the Kingdom’s officials. Binay said the Saudi officials objected in particular to a requirement that prospective Saudi employers provide a sketch and photograph of their houses. Another rule being objected to was the imposition of a $400 minimum monthly salary, he said.—With Jesse Edep/JV, GMA News

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