Recruitment of maids to Gulf countries only done by state agencies: Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The centre has decided to restrict the recruitment of female domestic workers to the Gulf countries only through state-run recruiting agencies from this month onwards in view of their widespread exploitation.

NORKA-Roots and Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultant, the two agencies in Kerala, are among the six agencies authorised to make recruitment of female domestic workers to the 18 countries to which emigration clearance is required.

According to an order issued by the Ministry of External Affairs in this regard, the fresh restrictions were imposed in view of the increasing complaints of exploitation of domestic workers.

NORKA secretary Ms. Usha Titus said that Kerala was pressing for restrictions in their recruitment. Of late, there had been many incidents of women from Kerala undergoing tortures, including sexual, in the Gulf countries.

Many were even denied assured wages. There were also allegations that private recruiting agents used to collect huge charges from such women. With the fresh regulation, those who want to recruit female domestic workers have to make the request through any of these agencies. This may curb the unlawful practices in the sector to a great extent, sources in the overseas recruitment sector point out.

The other government agencies permitted to carry out the recruitment are Overseas Manpower Corporation of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh Financial Corporation, Overseas Manpower Company of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Overseas Manpower Company.

It may be recalled that the recruitment of nurses is done through government-run agencies as part of efforts to curb exploitation in the sector. However, there was a decline in the flow of nurses from here to Gulf countries subsequent to this as many foreign employers were unwilling to go by the new recruitment system.