Uganda Halts Maid Hirings for Kingdom
RIYADH: The government of Uganda said that it would stop sending housemaids to Saudi Arabia, violating a deal between the two nations because of complaints of poor conditions and mistreatment.
The ban will remain until working conditions are “deemed fitting,” the Ugandan government said.
As a means of addressing high unemployment rate among young people in Uganda, its government signed a deal with the Kingdom in July for some university graduates to work as housemaids in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Ugandan Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Welfare, there have been some complaints regarding poor work conditions.
The ban also came after an audio recording on social media which was widely circulated this week. The recording is by Ugandans in Saudi Arabia who alleged they were being ill-treated.
According to official Ugandan figures, some 500 housemaids have arrived in the Kingdom since the deal took effect.
Ugandan Ambassador to the Kingdom Rashid Yahya Ssemuddu told Al-Eqtesadiah, a sister publication of Arab News, that the decision to stop sending housemaids to Saudi Arabia is temporary. “It has been stopped for a short time until some outstanding problems are sorted out,” the envoy said.
“We have to ensure the rights and privileges of both employer and employees for better operations,” the ambassador said, pointing out that Uganda wants to set up a joint electronic system to streamline the recruiting system between the two countries.