Saudi Arabia approves Chile as domestic helper source

Published:  26 Feb at 4 PM
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Domestic helpers from Chile will now be allowed to apply for work in Saudi Arabia, announced the country’s Labour Ministry.

The workers from the South American country will have seven different roles to choose from – four for men and three for women. The jobs males will be able to apply for are drivers, nurses, housekeepers and helpers, while females can take on work as nurses, housekeepers and nannies.

Chile is the first country from Latin America to be added to the 14-strong list, which includes seven from Asia (the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Yemen) and seven from Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Tanzania and Sudan).

The ministry said that the cost of hiring Chilean workers will be from a minimum of SR1,500 to a maximum of SR23,000 depending on the job, and that the application process would take as long as six months.

Indonesia had been one of the biggest sources of maids to the Gulf state, but new president Joko Widodo said earlier in February that the Southeast Asian country would immediately stop sending women to be domestic helpers in other countries to preserve the nation’s dignity.

Kenya also suspended its recruitment agencies from hiring workers for the Middle East last September, citing mistreatment.
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