No ban on recruiting Indian maids
According to Indian missions in the UAE, banning the recruitment of domestic helps is not a solution for the problems faced by a few of them. So the Indian government has established systems to make the recruitment more transparent.
Indian government had introduced ‘eMigrate’ project under its e-governance programme, aimed at keeping track of the labourers (including maids) who move out of India. It also helps in controlling the cases of exploitation and abuse. Indian Missions in the UAE encourages workers or house maids to register themselves on the website to avoid any problems in the future but thinks banning domestic helps is not a solution, said an envoy.
“We don’t believe in banning the recruitment of domestic helps rather there has to be a legal channel for people who are desirous of employment outside India. Of course, the UAE have no such issues and our prime minister is appreciative of the labour laws of this country as well. During his visit to the UAE, he went to labour accommodations and had seen their conditions himself,” said Anurag Bhushan, Consul-General of India in Dubai.
He added: “We are always very vigilant about the unsuspected people taking advantage of the domestic helps. We provide them adequate protection. Besides the eMigrate system, we have additional safeguards for the maids, such as deposits. The cases of maids’ abuse or exploitation are very few in the UAE.”
Despite the system in place, issues occur when people land in the UAE on visit visas and take on the jobs, said another official at the consulate. “First of all, it’s not legal and then if they get into any kind of trouble, it becomes difficult to trace and help them,” he said.
As per the rules of Indian government, the minimum wage for an Indian housemaid is Dh1,100. Permission for recruitment is granted only if the contract is for this amount or higher. Once the maid arrives through the eMigrate procedure, both the sponsor and the maid have to visit the consulate for the maid’s entry interview, where both the sponsor and the maid are briefed about their do’s and don’ts in their preferred choice of language. In the entry interview, it is also explained to the sponsor and the maid that a mobile with a SIM card and a minimum refill of Dh20 has to be provided by the sponsor to the maid, so that in case they face any issues, they can contact the consulate.
In case of problems between the sponsor and maid both the parties are called to the consulate to reach an amicable solution. Normally, Emirati sponsors follow
We are always very vigilant about the unsuspected people taking advantage of the domestic helps. We provide them adequate protection.” Anurag Bhushan, Consul-General of India in Dubai
the local practice and report the matters to the police and Immigration authorities. But in the cases that were brought to the knowledge of the consulate, the cases are resolved amicably through negotiation.
In case of absconding maids, the sponsor has to file a complaint with the immigration department, and also inform the consulate. If the maid approaches the consulate, then the sponsor is called to resolve the issue. As per local laws, once an absconding report is filed, they will be deported with a life ban.