Maids in Egypt to get welfare centre

Manila: The Philippines will establish a centre in Cairo to look after the welfare of Filipina maids, a report reaching Manila said.

The report issued by the Palace in Manila and quoting Labour Secretary Marianito Roque who is accompanying President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on a special working visit to Egypt, said the welfare centre will try to address the concerns of some hundreds of Filipina maids in Egypt, most of whom work for Arab employers.

Arroyo arrived in Cairo on Saturday morning and part of her hectic schedule include meetings with members of the Filipino community in Egypt.

During her three-day visit to Egypt, Arroyo and Roque said one of their primary concerns is to address problems posed by Egyptian labour laws which prohibit the hiring of domestics except those hired by diplomats and expatriates.

According to Roque, most Filipina househelps have been brought by their employers to Egypt from other Gulf states. He said their problems arose when their work permits expired. This difficulty was further worsened by restrictions imposed by Egyptian laws on the entry of foreign domestic workers.

"We will work out [something] so consideration maybe given to legitimise their stay," Roque said. He added the welfare centre will look after Filipino workers here as there is no labour agreement between the Philippines and Egypt.