RIYADH: Recruitment costs will not be imposed on Indonesian domestic workers when they arrive here. They will instead be employed through reputable recruitment agencies, according to a new deal between the two countries.

In some cases, sponsors or agencies deduct these costs from household workers when they arrive making them work for some months without salary.

Under a new accord, which awaits Shoura Council revision, the deployment of Indonesian workers in the country should only come through reputable and licensed recruitment agencies in both countries, while fees should be regulated and controlled.

Agencies in both countries should not impose fees on the workers and deduct them from their salaries against recruitment costs or any irregular deductions.

The new agreement seeks to enable the parties to resort to the concerned authorities in the case of contractual breaches in accordance with the regulations in force. They will take legal action against employment agencies in the event of any breach of rules.

In this context, the Committee on the Administration and Human Resources in the Shoura Council suggested amending Article III of the draft agreement signed in Riyadh two years ago. They want the Ministry of Labor (MoL) in the Kingdom to enact and be responsible for the process under this agreement, and in accordance with laws, regulations and directives in force, and the protection of domestic workers in the Kingdom. The monthly salary of the worker to be deposited in a bank account and 24-hour assistance to workers were among the important points of the agreement.

The agreement stressed the point that the ministry was duty bound to facilitate a settlement in the case of breach of contract and other labor issues. The case should be brought before the competent authorities to facilitate the issuance of exit visas at the end of the contract period or in case of an emergency.