Indo-Saudi pact to end role of middlemen in recruiting workers

India and Saudi Arabia are likely to sign a new agreement soon to put an end to the role of middlemen permanently in the recruitment process of Indian domestic workers to the Kingdom, a media report said today.
The agreement will be signed during the visit of Saudi Arabia's Labour Minister Adel Fakieh to New Delhi soon, the report said, quoting a senior Indian diplomat.
"The agreement is aimed at streamlining recruitment of domestic helpers from India in a way putting an end to any role for middlemen permanently," Sibi George, Charge d'Affairs at the Embassy of India, told Saudi Gazette.

According to the report, the agreement, which will be signed by Fakieh and Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, will solve all outstanding issues noticed while sending Indian domestic workers to Saudi Arabia in the past.
"There are provisions in the agreement to safeguard the rights and specifying the duties of both the employer and employee. The domestic workers will be trained and certified from licensed medical centres," George was quoted as saying.
The 2.8 million plus strong Indian community in Saudi Arabia is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom.
Once the agreement is formalised, workers will be governed by Saudi labour laws and they will enjoy the privileges and rights granted under the local regulations. It will also help in streamlining the labour market.