Minimum wage for Indonesian maids increased
Indonesia has increased the minimum monthly wage for their women to work here as maids to QR1,200 ($332) for inexperienced hands and QR1,500 ($412) for those experienced.
The Indonesian government has, though, imposed a temporary ban on the export of maids here, as also to the neighbouring UAE, due to what it says are problems related to working conditions.
An official from the Indonesian embassy told this newspaper yesterday that the above ban was imposed last April. The embassy, however, stopped endorsing job requests for Indonesian maids in November 2013 itself.
Novi Faitmawti, second secretary at the mission, said that the other condition for Indonesian maids to work here is that they be given a day off in the week.
She insisted that unless the above conditions are met, the temporary ban was unlikely to be lifted.
Reposted from The Peninsula | Photo for illustration only
Fubar , There 's difference between work in an industry & a cool home ...... Everybody works on a holiday be it a man / wife / kids ........ we take bath , have break fast , call friends / relatives , all this needs energy & great time based efforts but still it's considered as if we are taking rest . ........ Fri, 06.06.2014 , 08.05 hrs
Why not they make 1 day mandatory off for all house maids of all nationalities ?
Fubar is correct. It is a legal entitlement to a day off and not at the discretion of the employer. And to think that some think that the helper will want to spend it with their employer, as an unpaid skivvy, shows very poor judgement, a bit like thinking that you own the road too.
And what if the maid comes back with other issues - meets with an accident,health issues or an criminal issue...then who is accountable & responsible for her behaviour or rather freedom on her day off. She can have her day off /provided she is not misusing her freedom in anyways.
Anyone who doesn't give their maid a day off is an a-hole in my book. No exceptions.
skills should be the measuring factor not experince, experince could be good , could be bad, doesn't have to do anything with the salary. Add to that languge and work ethics. one day off is a legitmate requirment but it is always subject to both sides agreement, and the contract is always the binding document
Well, atleast the Embassy has taken some step to look in to the maids issues. Some embassies dont even look at these problems. The employer needs to think about the employees happiness too.
Fubar , We should rise above our own comforts , our life purpose is for making others happy , we can only find inner peace & satisfaction while we serve the family / community ...... ........ Thu , 05.06.2014 , 11.30 hrs
That's not for your employer to decide. It's your right to have 1 day where you choose what to do. Go to the park, stay in bed, or do nothing. And for those 24 hours no one can tell you what to do (if they respect you, respect the law, and are good, honest people, lol)
Fubar , Let it be clear , rest doesn't always mean sit still at home or lie down in your bed for 17 hours at a stretch .. Visiting a relative / friend / colleague / giving company to go to bazaar / amusement park / with your sponsor is a more relaxing & fun ............. .............. Thu , 05.06.2014 , 10.45 hrs
And how will the day off be enforced? I wonder how many employers will treat their maid according to this rule, and let he have a day of rest.
Fubar, There is often difference in the pov of any two persons , that's healthy , that everybody has an opinion. ......................... Thu , 05.06.2014 , 10.40 hrs
Novi Faitmawti, second secretary at the mission, said that one of the conditions for Indonesian maids to work here is that they be given a day off in the week. She insisted that unless the above conditions are met, the temporary ban was unlikely to be lifted.
Meanwhile Arrayah reported that the decision to grant visas to Filipino housemaids “was taken after the issue of visas for Indonesian and Ethiopian housemaids was stopped”....
Looks like some trying to benefit and undercut the others who are asking for something basic like a regular holiday every week
Lol Molten. Remember this?
DOHA: The Indonesian embassy, which temporarily stopped endorsing job contracts for Indonesian housemaids about two weeks ago, will resume the service on Sunday, a senior official said yesterday.
A sudden rise in the number of runaway maids seeking shelter at the embassy had forced the mission to take the extreme step.
“At one point, we had 32 runaway Indonesian maids who were given shelter at the embassy. This is putting a heavy financial burden on the embassy, because we are forced to pay air tickets for their repatriation,” Novi Fitmawati, a senior official at the embassy, told The Peninsula yesterday.
She said the embassy had decided to temporarily stop endorsement of job contracts so that the recruiting agents and employers would take the issue seriously.
The mission is likely to resume the service on Sunday, hoping that the situation would improve in the days to come.
“From next week, we will resume endorsing the contracts and continue to monitor the situation. If there is no improvement, we may be forced to take such measures again,” said the official.
Every day, three to five runaway maids seek shelter at the embassy. They are then transferred to the deportation centre.
“The problem is that there are no clear rules on who should provide air tickets for their repatriation,” said the official.
“We are expecting better coordination in this respect from the side of the recruiting agents as well as the sponsors,” said Fitmawati. The main complaints of the runaway maids are related to long working hours, lack of days off, low salary or non-payment of salary. The recruiting agents, sponsors and the maids — all are to be held responsible for the rise in the number of runaway housemaids, said the official.
“Addressing this issue is a collective responsibility. According to media reports, Qatar is currently working on a new law on domestic workers. This is a welcome step and we are hoping for early implementation of the law,” said Fitmawati. She said the embassy was receiving about 50 job contracts daily for endorsement from employers seeking to recruit Indonesian housemaids.
“Currently, there are about 1,000 Indonesian housemaids in Qatar, and their numbers remain more or less stable,” she said.
For the safer environment , attachment to this land , kind citizens etc ............ Thu , 05.06.2014 , 10.23 hrs
These maids are stupid for coming to Qatar. If they worked in Hong Kong, the minimum flat rate for a maid is $517/month. Why are they coming here for $332?
Khalli , Positively , you won't be tempted to waste your money on junk food , fashion-clothes & show off . Thu , 05.06.2014 , 10.10 hrs
good initiative from a country. hope these regulations are met by their employers.
yes. they also need a rest day & to go out and meet friends atleast once a week.