The Indonesians will resume sending workers after ending all procedures to improve labor laws.

A top Indonesian official said the decision to stop sending Indonesian workers is temporary and includes all countries that recruit Indonesian workers, not only the Kingdom.

The Indonesians will resume sending workers after ending all procedures to improve labor laws.

Director of Protection of Indonesian Citizens Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Iqbal said that the procedures to recruit domestic workers will be across companies through coordination with the Labor Ministry to preserve labor rights of Indonesian workers.

At the same time, the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh started organizing workshops to raise awareness of labor regulations and traditional customs of Saudi society among Indonesian domestic workers, in cooperation with the Labor Ministry, stressing that this program will be applied in other countries in the Middle East, according to a media report.

“The number of Indonesian workers in the Kingdom is 270,000, according to official statistics, while there are unofficial reports which revealed the number is 700,000. However, the number of complaints of Indonesian workers against their employers in the Kingdom is 10,000 a year,” Iqbal said.

“The Indonesian Embassy is working to support its domestic workers who have no problems with their employers, while the embassy does not force their country’s nationals to leave the Kingdom as they can stay there through renewing their residence permits,” he added.

Iqbal said: “The Foreign Ministry is working with the Labor Ministry and other organizations in Indonesia, to improve labor procedures and work laws. The decision to stop exporting domestic workers to countries in the Middle East was due to lack of providing insurance for Indonesian workers.”

Meanwhile, President of Recruitment Committee at Jeddah Chamber for Commerce and Industry Yahya Al-Maqboul confirmed that Indonesian domestic workers’ rights have been safeguarded in the Kingdom. All domestic workers, drivers and housemaids receive free medical services in Saudi public hospitals and clinics.

Speaking to Arab News, he said: “The private sector has been forced to cover its workers with medical insurance. That is an important requirement to renew residence permits of workers. So health services are provided to all workers in the Kingdom.”

Related articles across the web

• Qatar- Emir holds talks with Indonesian president
• Indonesian president on trade tour to Gulf states
• Iranian FM stress political solution to Mideast crisis
• Saudi lobbying and US policy towards Syria: they are advocating on behalf of the Syrian branch of Al-Qa`ida
• (U//FOUO) Marine Corps Intelligence Activity Indonesia Cultural Study
• Fire forces 1,500 pilgrims from Mecca hotel
• Middle East not helping refugees
• Here's Where ISIS Horrifically Tortures Christians Till They Convert to Islam or Die
• Indonesia orders action against land burning as haze chokes SE Asia
• Insanity on Steroids!