India and Saudi Arabia will discuss a legal framework for over 5,00,000 Indian domestic workers in the gulf kingdom to solve any disputes between them and their employers.
An Indian delegation headed by Ruolkhumlien Buhril, protector general of emigrants, has arrived in Jeddah to discuss the legal formalities of the contractual mode for Indian domestic workers, the Arab News reported.
The visit aims to address the issues of domestic workers for which an official agreement was signed in New Delhi between Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Valayar Ravi and Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakeih in January this year.
Buhril will meet Ahmed Al-Fahaid, deputy labour minister for international affairs, to discuss the frame work, the report said.
The officials will discuss the framework that regulates contractual relations between employers and domestic workers, ensures authenticity and implementation of the employment contract, promises action against recruitment agencies violating laws and seeks to establish a mechanism to provide round-the-clock assistance to domestic workers.
A committee of senior officials from both countries will monitor the implementation of the pact to straighten out difficulties and it will also guard the contractual relations between employers and domestic workers to protect the rights of both parties.
The agreement covers 12 categories of workers including drivers, janitors, cleaners, waiters, gardeners and household managers working for individuals.
It would pave the way for contracts outlining specific details including insurance cover, minimum wages, working hours, paid holidays, emergency leave, worker bank accounts and a dispute resolution mechanism.
There are over 5,00,000 Indian nationals working in the domestic sector in Saudi Arabia, Indian official sources said.
Some house drivers, workers on private farms and housemaids, are still not covered under the contractual mechanism and face difficulties to redress issues in the event of disputes arising with their employer.
Visiting officials are hoping to expand the legal mechanism to other employment sectors at a later stage.