Jordan Times
Friday, July 6, 2007
Proposed notary guarantee seeks to protect rights of
foreign domestic helpers
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN — The Labour Ministry will soon issue a decision imposing a notary
guarantee, ranging between JD1,000- 2,000, on prospective employers of foreign
domestic helpers.
The decision is part of several recommendations the Ministry of Labour referred
to the Legislation Bureau for review before it is presented for approval to the
Cabinet.
If the proposals are endorsed, regulations governing recruitment agencies
dealing with non-Jordanians will be amended accordingly.
“The reason behind requesting the Notary Guarantee was to protect the rights of
workers due to existing violations committed by some sponsors and agents with
regard to the domestic helpers’ wages”, Habashneh told The Jordan Times.
Around 95 of the 102 recruitment offices in the Kingdom are licensed, while the
estimated number of helpers holding legal work permits stands at 60,000, with
around 615 working illegally, according to the Non-Jordanian Domestics
Recruitment Offices Owners Association’s figures.
Habashneh stressed that the new instructions will “regulate this sector by
imposing penalties and increasing the effectiveness of the Labour Ministry’s
control and supervision”, adding that it will also address loopholes in the
existing regulations.
The Ministry has formed a committee to review the regulations in order to
address any flaws in the system, Habashneh said, adding that the amendments will
also include raising the bank guarantee required of recruitment offices from
JD50,000- 60,000.
The ministry has issued a multi-language booklet which details the rights and
duties of foreign workers guaranteed by law, which will be handed out to them
upon their arrival to the Kingdom.
In addition, the ministry will start printing the hotline number on work permits
in case of complaints, according to Habashneh.
He said the ministry will establish a notary office at its headquarters, in
addition to certifying a standardised contract to be used by all recruitment
agencies.