‘No case of torture, we have strong law to protect domestic helps’

Smita Sharma

New Delhi: Following are parts of an interview with Saudi Arabia ambassador in New Delhi, Dr Saud AlSati:

How do Saudi authorities regulate behaviour of sponsors and recruiting agencies?

The Indian expat community in the Kingdom is vast and diverse. The fact that we have over three million Indian nationals living in the Kingdom indicates that they are welcome and appreciated. 

As to the Saudi authorities’ role in regulating employers and recruiting agencies, the Ministry of Labor and Social development has issued the regulation for domestic helps that govern the relationship between employers and their employees. A website (MUSANED) dedicated for this purpose was established which outlines the duties and rights for domestic workers.

To ensure compliance of recruiting offices with rules and regulations, the Ministry conducts periodic inspections and evaluation of their performance, and offices that violate regulations are closed down. In 2016, 33 recruiting offices were shut down due to violations. Our government has zero tolerance for any transgression of anyone’s rights, especially those of our guests. 

How often and in which cases do Saudi authorities intervene when an exit visa is needed for a maid in need of repatriation?

The exit visa is issued in cases of regular completion of the contract period and also before the completion if the two parties agreed. In the case of dispute between the employee and the employer, the Ministry of Labour allows the employee to find another work with another employer, and also allows the employee to travle back to their home country, if they desire. The Ministry of labour gives the employee in this case the required exit visa directly. We have a process in place to address all concerns of workers. If an employee makes an official complaint against his or her employer, the Ministry of labour takes immediate action to investigate the matter. The employee is relocated to a special guest house where all his/her needs are taken care of. 

Would you say there is a high number of cases of sexual assault/ abuse against domestic helps?

This is an allegation we have heard many times. Let me tell you that not a single case of sexual harassment or torture, reported in certain sections of the Indian media, has been verified & are accurate. The Kingdom also has a very strong law prohibiting human trafficking. 

Why is Saudi Arabia’s image more controversial compared to other Gulf countries when it comes to condition of blue collar workers?

I sincerely urge every journalist/concerned family members to contact us for accurate information before giving statements or filing a story. (The fact that) over 3 million Indians live happily in Saudi Arabia is because they are held in high esteem. 

Other than building shelters to house complainants or victims, what more steps have been proposed to deal with the issue?

Most of the cases reported have to do with dispute and desires for early termination of contracts. Saudi law provides full protection to all expatriates, which includes a unified labour contract and provisions that prohibit employing persons in jobs different from the profession stated in the contract. Rules prevent workers from being made to work longer than five hours at a stretch. Whenever Saudi authorities are provided with valid information, detailed investigations ensue, and violators face action. 

In April 2017, Saudi Ministry of Labour and Social Development announced that they will open bank accounts for domestic workers in the country. This has been done to ensure that all domestic workers get their wages and entitlements on time and that employers honor their contracts. Job security will also improve through this move, as employers will have to register their contracts electronically.

— Smita Sharma