JEDDAH: Brokers are exploiting Ramadan to peddle domestics for higher prices that can go up to SR5,000 despite hefty penalties and fines.
Recruitment offices say this is a black market practice as these domestics have no permits but their demand increases causing prices to shoot up. That means more activity for illegal recruiters, who exploit the situation, helped by offices in Indonesia and the Philippines, which delay normal recruitment for domestics.
Social media websites are rife with ads for maids at almost any price and without restrictions and with negotiable wages.
“Many housewives are renting domestics for any price mainly because of the complicated recruitment procedure and the high cost,” said Umm Bader, a housewife.
“The brokers do the rounds long before Ramadan and start offering maids,” said Umm Mohammad.
To Umm Abdulaziz Hassan, maids working for SR25 an hour is a good solution but this may be too much for low-budget families. A mother of two, she draws SR6,000 a month. She says the monthly wage of an Asian maid is between SR1,700 and SR2,500.
Recruitment offices say this is a black market practice as these domestics have no permits but their demand increases causing prices to shoot up. That means more activity for illegal recruiters, who exploit the situation, helped by offices in Indonesia and the Philippines, which delay normal recruitment for domestics.
Social media websites are rife with ads for maids at almost any price and without restrictions and with negotiable wages.
“Many housewives are renting domestics for any price mainly because of the complicated recruitment procedure and the high cost,” said Umm Bader, a housewife.
“The brokers do the rounds long before Ramadan and start offering maids,” said Umm Mohammad.
To Umm Abdulaziz Hassan, maids working for SR25 an hour is a good solution but this may be too much for low-budget families. A mother of two, she draws SR6,000 a month. She says the monthly wage of an Asian maid is between SR1,700 and SR2,500.
