Saudi ban

4 October 2010 03:17 am - 38 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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DAMMAM: The National Recruitment Committee has called upon all private recruitment offices in the Kingdom to sign no further contracts for the employment of Sri Lankan nationals from abroad.

The “extremely urgent” call followed disputes between the Sri Lankan Labor Union (ALFIA) and the Sri Lankan Labor Office, which could lead to delays in the arrival of workers to the Kingdom. It is also a response to the Sri Lankan media’s negative portrayal of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the National Recruitment Committee and ALFIA which was due to come into effect on Sep.10.
The MoU signed with ALFIA set recruitment charges at a maximum of SR5,500 for housemaids.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Labor reportedly backtracked on the pretext that the MoU will deprive the Lankan economy of an additional income of over $50 million.

Recruitment offices in the Eastern Province said Sunday that most of them had already put the suspension into effect, and that with the situation currently “unclear” it would remain in force.

“Most offices are now turning to Indonesia as a viable alternative,” said one office representative. “Indonesia remains committed to the MoU it signed and which came into effect early Ramadan.”

The MoU with Indonesia sets recruitment costs at SR6,000, with visa fees on top.

Saudi Gazette

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Comments - 38

Concerned Monday, 04 October 2010 08:57 AM

GOD Saved our Sisters who would be the Victims

Ravana Monday, 04 October 2010 07:27 AM

OK so no labor income, no GSP income, bread prices going up and the general in jail.....continue O Lotus eaters !

Podi Guru Monday, 04 October 2010 07:36 AM

Could be....but you want to send Sri Lankans to be beaten and worse?

Podi Guru Monday, 04 October 2010 07:38 AM

Do you call $200 per month good money when the maid works seven days a week for 10 - 12 hours per day?

sandman Monday, 04 October 2010 07:48 AM

We r already beaten and worse here in our own land. Strict regulations should be in place for Housemaids specially. But when you have purely POLITICAL APPOINTEES in all the key areas of our diplomatic missions, this is what will happen. We never seem to learn our bitter lessons.

sandman Monday, 04 October 2010 07:49 AM

Which professionals due u mean ?

Mohamed Monday, 04 October 2010 08:06 AM

This Saudi Arabia Banning recruitment from Sri Lanka is going to have an adverse effect for Sri Lanka. I wonder what is going to happen to the Sri Lankan workers who are already working there. I wonder what made Saudi Ban the Sri Lankans?

from abroad Monday, 04 October 2010 08:06 AM

We need to stop sending ladies abroad and give them alternatives back home.

For professionals these days Soudi is one of only few economies that are recruiting, when compared to around the world. We should not put restrictions on accountants and engineers who wants to make a living. whether we like it or not, there are not many opportunities else where. Or else we can join the French or British trade unions to support their strikes against government spending cuts.

Fareed Monday, 04 October 2010 08:08 AM

The reality is Saudi now wants to give priority to Islamic nations. Its their choice. We must respect it. Sri Lanka should look internally to give more jobs to people.

Kamiss Monday, 04 October 2010 08:19 AM

Taking our people or not is their decision but our choice. Let us go there on OUR terms.

ilmi Monday, 04 October 2010 06:51 AM

Let's show those arrogant Arabs that we Sri Lankans are not their slaves! Saudi could have earned respect from Sri Lankans if the they truly follow what the their religion teaches them.

saibu nanna Monday, 04 October 2010 09:45 AM

ALHAMDULLIAH....I AM VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THIS NEWS..THIS IS ALLAH'S GRACE...TOWARDS OUR PEOPLE...

xlntgson Monday, 04 October 2010 10:08 AM

Saudis may turn to petite girls from Phillippines they pay more for them than Sri Lankan and Bengalis!

Katussa Monday, 04 October 2010 10:11 AM

A blessing in disguise, indeed.

Shahiwal Monday, 04 October 2010 10:13 AM

This decission we must have taken years ago sending slaves tpo this country. Where the hell these SLFEB booruwo sleeping

Mohamed Monday, 04 October 2010 11:04 AM

Sir, They are more attractive and hospitable than, am sorry to say our own girls. They are very efficient too. Why cannot our Sri Lankan maids be more efficient in their work?

Minan Monday, 04 October 2010 11:04 AM

May be only for house maids, lits good for us, pl dont send maids to suffer.

Dammika Monday, 04 October 2010 11:37 AM

Poor peoples should sacrifice this also...

Smart Aleck Monday, 04 October 2010 11:48 AM

The Saudis must be running short of wire nails.

Chandimani Monday, 04 October 2010 05:17 AM

This decision came too late... Rather, this would have been taken by NOT Saudi Government, but by Sri Lankan Govenment at very early. Thanks Saudi to call attention to Sri Lankan Government to make this decision on behalf of Sri Lankan Government even late !!!

Roshan DW Monday, 04 October 2010 03:34 AM

This is a blessing..Thank God

Kadira Monday, 04 October 2010 03:37 AM

The story of the "Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs". When will be ever learn.

Top Sri Lankan Monday, 04 October 2010 04:04 AM

Tell them to go and fly a kite. If our administrators think properly there are so many working opportunities can be made for the Sri Lankan housemaids and labourers in our own land and they can make much more then what they can earn in saudi. For example; to the women,grinding machines or sewing machines can be given on monthly installments as they can have their own self employment. First we need proper administrators who has brains.

Hemal Kirtisinghe Monday, 04 October 2010 04:14 AM

Good. We should have done it before they did it. The Govt. should ban all people going to Saudi for slavery.

Bluff Bluff Monday, 04 October 2010 04:17 AM

Ban Saudi Arabia forever!

TP Monday, 04 October 2010 04:28 AM

You have a point there, but do we have the so called administrators who are dedicated, motivated and most of all corruption free.

Muhandiram Imsid Monday, 04 October 2010 04:36 AM

Those who welcome the ban should understand that the ban seems to apply to ALL categories, NOT just maids. That surely must be a massive blow to our foreign exchange earnings

Roshan Monday, 04 October 2010 04:46 AM

Saudi does't depend on SL labour.

bash Monday, 04 October 2010 05:05 AM

Please dont go back to them begging, need to take the same stand that we took on the EU GSP +

Ranjith Monday, 04 October 2010 03:26 AM

Its a good move to STOP sending SLAVES to Kingdom as there nailed these pets.

ASFAR Monday, 04 October 2010 05:20 AM

muhandiram ismid, you are right. some ignorant people do not understand anything at all. this is about our economy. choice is ours weather to take up employment or not.

Don Monday, 04 October 2010 05:30 AM

Very Good saudi arabia ban all house mids to Saudi this is good for Srilanka sending slaves to satisfy saudi maniacs.

Josh Monday, 04 October 2010 05:33 AM

and there goes our second largest foreign exchange source!!!!!

jim jam Monday, 04 October 2010 05:34 AM

There are a few cases of abuse but majority earn good money, this move would deprive many impoverished sri lankans from seeking a brighter future

shiyam Monday, 04 October 2010 05:39 AM

This is a good opertunity to stop slave work at S.A. and try to get oppertunity to professional Visa.

Musthafa Fuad Monday, 04 October 2010 05:51 AM

Thank God, at least Saudi is protecting our people from further nailing.... We should send skilled workers for higher salary than sending for these countries for peanuts...

pwc Monday, 04 October 2010 05:55 AM

Brighter future ??? Ask it from Ariyawathie !!

farshad Monday, 04 October 2010 06:36 AM

hope for this case also have solution to MR becouse for every thing have solution in this present goverment but nothing any use at all.

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Saudi ban

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