UAE | Employment
Basic wage of Filipino maids double
Manila has doubled the wages of overseas Filipino domestic helpers to $400 (Dh1,470) and the new rule goes into effect for any contract signed after March 3, consulate officers said yesterday.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:36 May 3, 2009
Dubai: Manila has doubled the wages of overseas Filipino domestic helpers to $400 (Dh1,470) and the new rule goes into effect for any contract signed after March 3, consulate officers said yesterday.
This will also apply to those whose contracts end at that date and renew it. Philippines will also not allow any domestic helper below the age of 25 to work abroad and if the person manages to somehow land abroad, the labour contract will not be endorsed.
A meeting was held at the consulate here to announce the new wage law, which has been raised from Dh700.
Domestic helpers include house maids, nannies, nurses, drivers, gardeners and others who work in private homes.
The Philippine government has raised the minimum wage for overseas workers in the GCC states and other Arab countries, officials said.
A consular officer said the domestic workers will first undergo 300 hours of training before being sent abroad. They will also be taught the basics of Arabic language, he said.
All labour recruitment agencies here have been advised to take necessary steps to implement the new rule.
Recruitment agency
According to an executive of Al Dawli labour recruitment agency, one month's time is given to labour agencies here to update the visas they plan to issue for domestic helpers.
He said this will create further delays if the person hired has to undergo one month's training. "This means that it will now take more than two months to get a maid here," said Bashar, who did not wish to give his second name.
Ali Khan, an owner of another recruitment agency, said the sponsor already has to pay Dh3,500, including a air ticket when hiring a maid. He also has to pay Dh1,200 for the medical checkup, he added. "Doubling the salary is unreasonable," he said.
"I believe this decision will prove to be a great failure and that it will be withdrawn within less than a month," he said, adding that it will create upheaval in the labour market here.
"Some of those working on the old contract will start creating problems with their sponsors, so they can go back and come again with new salary contract," he said. He said the UAE authorities are already protecting the rights of the domestic helpers. "They are able to change sponsorship and even cancel their visas without a ban."
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