Saudi’s Shoura Council has moved on a draft labour agreement with the Philippine Ministry of Labour and Employment, with high-level talks scheduled on Monday.
Last May, ministries from both countries signed am historic agreement reinforcing a Standard Employment Contract for household service workers.
The contract recognised the SR1,500 ($400) minimum entry-level salary, weekly rest days and daily rest periods, paid vacation leave, non-withholding of passports and work permits, free communication, and humane treatment.
In addition, the agreement required that the Kingdom be responsible for the authenticity of the employment contract, opening of a bank account in the name of a domestic worker, a 24-hour mechanism for domestic workers’ assistance, the expeditious settlement of labour contract violation cases, and facilitation of exit visas for repatriation when a contract was completed or during emergency situations.
For the Philippines government, the responsibilities included ensuring that workers were qualified and medically fit with a good record, as well as verification of all employment contracts submitted by Saudi recruitment offices.
In June 2011, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia agreed to adopt the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 189 concerning decent work for the kingdom’s estimated 670,000 domestic workers.
The following year the Kingdom agreed to lift the ban on Philippine domestic workers.
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