GCC plans unified system for housekeepers' recruitment

ABU DHABI: Chairman of the Saudi Foreign Recruitment Committee Saad Nahar Al-Baddah has called for a unified GCC system that governs household workers' recruitment and work.

Al-Baddah was quoted by the Arab News paper Wednesday as saying that this would strengthen the position of member states in negotiations with labor-exporting countries.

He added that such a step is needed, "especially after the issues that took place recently. Having a unified system would prevent exploitation in countries negotiations."

Among the "recent issues" Al-Baddah indicated are the housemaids on death row after killing their employer.

A local news report earlier Saturday cited an unnamed GCC official stating that GCC ministers of Labor and Social Affairs intended to agree on a unified law to govern the recruitment and work of household labors in member states during in their next meeting in October in Bahrain.

The official said a joint committee of member states would propose a unified recruitment contract that the ministers would discuss in the meeting, according to the paper.

He said articles of the contact would be announced after ministers approved it in the meeting, where amendments to it may be requested. (QNA)