He was reacting to the recent statement of the head of National Recruitment Committee (NRC) Saad Al-Baddah at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), where he stated that salaries of housemaids in Saudi markets would range between SR600-800 monthly.

The Philippine ambassador, quoted by Al-Sharq newspaper, said decisions on such issues should be arrived at only after discussions by all parties concerned, adding, a compromise solution should be reached by both sides.

Tago also said, the embassy and the Labor Ministry normally discuss matters and issues related to domestic workers and their welfare.

He said, the embassy is firm on the new contract including a monthly salary of SR1,500.

He also said that the embassy would issue a statement soon on the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

He hoped that the two countries would arrive at a deal, paving the way for the return of female Filipino domestic workers to the Kingdom.

Sources said that the NRC indicated that the fixing of the housemaid salaries would stop the black market on the trading of runaway workers.

Ten big recruitment companies will enter the market, and every company will be opening 26 branches with 10 staff members for each branch.

The cost of recruitment fell by 10-15 percent within one year but recruitment offices will make redundant brokers and dealers who used to inflate costs to potential employers, he said.

The NRC recently cut the costs from SR9,000 to SR6,000 but, costs went up to SR12,000 due to soaring demand.

Saudi citizens will pay a one-time fee for recruitment to the offices based abroad.

The fee will include recruitment and visa fees plus two-year medical insurance, return tickets, residence permit fees for two years, medical check-up, and training.

For its part, the recruitment company will provide a replacement for a housemaid who escapes and/or refuses to work for her Saudi employer.