Indian domestics: Hiring to begin ‘in two weeks’

Jeddah, Jan 5: A joint meeting of Saudi and Indian labor officials will be held soon to finalize procedures for the recruitment of domestics to work in the Kingdom, said Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. He said the recruitment process would begin within two weeks.

Ravi, however, added that the decision to launch the recruitment initiative on the basis of the new agreement would be taken by the Saudi Labor Ministry. “We hope the agreement will determine the relation between the employer and employee and this is a very significant achievement.”

The two countries signed a labor cooperation agreement on Thursday that will cover about a quarter of the 2.8 million Indians working in Saudi Arabia. “It will be a stepping stone for a more comprehensive pact covering all Indian workers in the Kingdom,” an Indian official said.

Ravi, who signed the accord with Saudi Labor Minister Adel Fakeih, said: “This would go a long way in protecting the interests of Indian workers.”

Ravi thanked the Saudi minister and the Kingdom for hosting thousands of Indian workers “who have contributed to the economic development of Saudi Arabia and continue to be one of the most disciplined, law abiding, and hard working communities.”

Fakeih also emphasized the significance of the agreement, which regulates contractual relations between employers and domestics, ensures authenticity and implementation of the employment contract, promises action against recruitment agencies violating laws and seeks to establish a mechanism to provide 24 hours assistance to domestic workers.

A standard employment contract would set out minimum wages, working hours, paid holidays and a dispute settlement mechanism.

Terming India “an important and active partner at more than one level,” Fakeih said the agreement was in the context of the protection of the rights and regulating the labor relations between employers and employees as per international regulations and treaties.

“This important agreement is the result of the excellent relations between the two countries,” the Saudi minister said, adding that the two sides have agreed to set up a joint committee of senior officials to address obstacles.