Jakarta suspends recruitment ban

RIYADH, 17 July  — Indonesian authorities have decided to suspend a ban on recruitment of household helps to Saudi Arabia. The concerned offices will issue passports and immigration documents to Indonesians seeking to work in the Kingdom until Friday. A member of the labor recruitment committee in the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry said the lifting of the ban was only a temporary measure. He said an agreement would be worked out soon to protect the interests of both parties. The Indonesian Ministry of Labor and Immigration had directed passport authorities in the country on June 9 to stop issuing travel documents to Indonesians to work in Saudi Arabia. —  Khaled Al-Ahmad