"This proposal has been under consideration for about five years and it is time that a decision on it is reached now," he added.

The chairman's comments come during a rash of media reports of maid abuse.

Al-Maqboul said that the relationship between the recruitment offices and the maids should be direct and stronger. He called on the consulates of the countries from which most housemaids and drivers are recruited to deal only with accredited recruitment offices, adding that these offices play an instrumental role in protecting and safeguarding the rights of these workers.

"Instead of falling prey to brokers who trade in foreign manpower, a maid who escapes from her employee can come to the recruitment office so as not to be considered an escapee from her employer," he said.

Al-Maqboul asked families not to be influenced by the recent false reports published regarding crimes committed by maids.

Many residents of Jeddah who were questioned by Arab News said the stories about the crimes of the maids published by the media have begun to take their toll.

"I am suspicious of anything the maid does — I am hesitant to even accept a cup of tea and have warned my children to stay away as much as possible from her," said Jeddah resident Hassan Al-Harithy.

Resident Abu Muhammad said he would not keep his maid in the house had it not been for the insistence of his wife. He said he was influenced by the horrible stories about crimes committed by maids to the extent that he does not take the food or tea prepared by his maid.

"We only ask her to do the cleaning and laundry," he said.