maid recruitment

After Saudi Ban on Use of the Word ‘Maids’ in Job Ads, Kuwait Follows Suit

After Saudi Ban on the Use of the Word ‘Maids’ in Adverts, Kuwait Follows Suit

The Middle East has seen important reforms concerning policies in dealing with domestic helpers. In Kuwait, the use of the word, ‘maid’ in advertisements and job postings is no longer allowed as per the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce.

READ ALSO: 10 Reasons Why Filipinos Choose to Work in the Middle East

The ministry explained that the purpose of this decision is to uphold the dignity of those expat workers, domestic workers, and the ones with similar status.

After Saudi Ban on the Use of the Word ‘Maids’ in Adverts, Kuwait Follows Suit

Kuwait Bans Use of ‘Maid’, ‘Servants’ in Hiring Adverts

The ministry also said that the use of phrases ‘to sell’, ‘to assign’, or ‘to buy’ will be replaced as ‘transfer of services’. Moreover, the word ‘maid’ or ‘servant’ will be replaced with ‘worker’, the Kuwait Times reported.

Another critical provision in the circular states that the use of personal data such as photos, residency, identity cards, and similar personal information about the worker is prohibited to be used in advertisements.

Earlier, Kuwait resumed the recruitment of Filipino domestic workers after it was put on a halt following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, earlier, also published a circular banning the use of some terms and words in job advertisements.

Similarly, it said that the words “maid” and “servant” are no longer allowed to be used for marketing and advertising purposes.

Another positive move brought about by this circular is that these workers will not bear any financial burdens “under any circumstances” due to any changes in paperwork.

The Middle East wherein both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia belong, is one of the most popular regions where foreign workers go for employment, especially for blue-collar jobs. However, employment rights and benefits is an area wherein several governments in the region can still improve on.

READ NEXT: Now, Saudi-based Employers and Recruiters Should Not Use the Word ‘Maid’ in Job Adverts

UAE Suspends Daily, Hourly Maid Services to Curb Spread of Coronavirus

UAE Suspends Daily and Hourly Maid Services to Curb Spread of Coronavirus

UAE authorities on Tuesday (March 16) announced that short-term recruitment of maid services via Tadbeer centers is temporarily suspended.

READ ALSO: UAE Lands in Top 10 Best Countries for Expats Worldwide

The decision was made to support the national government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

UAE Suspends Daily and Hourly Maid Services to Curb Spread of Coronavirus
Credits: drobotdean / Freepik

UAE Authorities Suspends Short-Term Recruitment of Maid Services via Tadbeer

In line with this, household service workers can now be hired for a minimum period of seven days. During this period, they are not allowed to be replaced or transferred, the Khaleej Times reported.

And to ensure safety, the ministry added that household workers will also have to undergo a COVID PCR test before they are deployed. That said, testing must be done in no more than 48 hours before the service schedule.

Moreover, MoHRE called on Tadbeer centers to make arrangements for domestic workers so that they can get the Covid-19 vaccine.

Earlier, officials announced that UAE residents can hire domestic helpers only from Tadbeer centres starting this month. The centres, whose services are regulated by MoHRE, have replaced the agencies for recruiting domestic helpers. Currently, there are 54 such centres across the country.

Under Tadbeer centers, domestic helpers can be hired through three schemes, one of which is short-term recruitment.

The first package offers direct sponsorship from source countries to get a 3-month contract. Employers need to provide all meals, individual rooms, monthly salary and passport renewal requirements for domestic workers.

The second is Tadbeer sponsorship allowing employers to hire a domestic worker for 180 days wherein the company accepts all the costs for passport renewals, except for accommodation-related requirements.

And the third package wherein workers are given a two-year contract recruitment. In this scheme, employers need to ensure accommodation, salary and other requirements, such as service ending benefits.

Last month, Mohre – in cooperation with E11 – introduced an upgraded version of the smart application ‘Tadbeer’ through which users can avail of all services related to domestic workers at any time and place.

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