Bahrain rejects proposal to revise wages of maids
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10092193.html
12/26/2006 12:28 AM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: Bahrain’s Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi rejected the Philippines proposal to increase the minimum wage of Filipino domestic workers to $400 (about Dh1,469).
“There are criteria and conditions set by the Gulf Cooperation Council governments for those who wish to work in the Gulf, and Bahrain, like the other states in the region, does not have a minimum wage policy for expatriates,” Al Alawi was quoted as saying by Al Wasat newspaper yesterday.
Bahrain rejects proposal to revise wages of maids
http://archive.gulfnews.com/region/Bahrain/10092193.html
12/26/2006 12:28 AM | By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Manama: Bahrain’s Labour Minister Dr Majeed Al Alawi rejected the Philippines proposal to increase the minimum wage of Filipino domestic workers to $400 (about Dh1,469).
“There are criteria and conditions set by the Gulf Cooperation Council governments for those who wish to work in the Gulf, and Bahrain, like the other states in the region, does not have a minimum wage policy for expatriates,” Al Alawi was quoted as saying by Al Wasat newspaper yesterday.
Wage increases for all workers are decided according to the principle of offer and demand between the workers and their sponsors and without the interference of the Labour Ministry, Al Alawi said.
“The Filipino government has the right not to allow its citizens to come to the Gulf, and we do not stop embassies from making statements to the media. However, a wage increase is not legally binding,” the minister said.
Manila on Friday officially approved a new minimum wage for Filipina housemaids, making it mandatory for the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Philippines embassies not to process employment contracts with salaries below $400 a month.
Upgrading capabilities
The Philippines tied the increase with a scheme to upgrade the capabilities of domestic helpers who are now required to undergo a skills assessment by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority that will issue certificates of competency to successful applicants.
But the minimum wage decision was slammed by the Bahrain Recruiters Society, warning that employers would be using the services of expatriate maids willing to work for less.
Several underage Filipinas, lured by promises of high wages and paid living expenses, take up jobs in the Gulf where they are often trapped by unscrupulous recruiters and sponsors into a difficult life with limited rights.
Last month, Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society’s women, children and minorities rights director Hala Ramzy Fayez told a conference a minimum wage should be introduced for female migrant workers in Bahrain and that they should also enjoy a weekly rest day and be given maternity leave and public holidays.