RIYADH, 27 August — Deputy Riyadh Governor Prince Sattam, accompanied by three ministers, yesterday inspected the center responsible for taking care of foreign maids and said the government will do its best to solve any problems that arise between maids and their employers.
“There are certain problems for expatriate maids with respect to their sponsors and their rights. We will find solutions for them,” Prince Sattam said after inspecting the center.
He also disclosed the plan to expand facilities at the department for expatriates.
The department itself has disclosed that it has received more than 120 calls about absconding maids and drivers of various nationalities from the house of their employers.
Lt. Col. Salman Al-Jaeed, director of the department, told Arab News that many maids abscond from their sponsors on Thursdays and Fridays, as their Saudi sponsors will not be able to inform the police about them during this period.
However, Jaeed insisted that a duty officer would be available at the office around the clock to receive such calls and record information. He said the department gives five days to the sponsor to inform it about absconding servants.
“After five days they have to pay fines,” he explained.
He said all police departments can receive calls about absconding servants.
After informing the police, sponsors should bring records about payment of salaries, four passport size photographs, a copy of the commercial registration, the ID of the sponsor and the original and copy of the servant’s passport and an attested authorization from the company.
Prince Sattam also visited the social observation center, the bureau for combating begging, and the rehabilitation center.
He was accompanied by Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah, Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi and Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed.
