Prevention of Housemaid Abuse Pushed

The Human Rights Watch (HRW), a leading and independent international organization focused on fighting for human rights, issued a paper on housemaid abuse in Saudi Arabia in July 2008. This only emphasized rampant women employee abuse, though such incidence did and does not happen in the Arab world alone. Yet it does not give comfort at all.

Often, victims of housemaid abuse are given a certain kind of support. The Philippine embassy, for instance, sends them to safe houses until their papers are done and they can be legally sent home. However, these same women who are expected to support their families back home are only more scared of going back to a life of poverty.  They would rather change jobs. Unfortunately, leaving their jobs could be considered criminal in some countries. A breech of contract would be considered synonymous to stealing from the employer and could send them to jail instead of home. In some cultures, the maids are treated as part of the family, that is, they are like children who, when  naughty, can be locked up and punished. Sometimes, they are treated like possessions – things to play with, particularly by their male employers. Rampant women employee abuse is worldwide, and this is not just confined to housemaid abuse. For instance, many Filipino women apply as entertainers in Japan only to be forced into prostitution or white slavery.

Saudi Arabia was singled out for  housemaid abuse issues because their legal system makes it very difficult for victims to be treated fairly. Some fear being persecuted for crimes if they try to leave their employers. According to HRW, rather than seeing their abusers brought to justice, domestic workers could be accused of witchcraft, theft, or adultery instead. Absence of or delays in getting access to interpreters, legal aid, or consular assistance not only delays justice but is denies victims of justice.

HRW suggested to the Saudi government to improve the situation for these workers so women are aware of their rights and responsibilities, and that they be put under labor laws should they be  overworked or denied wages. The Saudi government has shown concern about housemaid abuse and women employee abuse leading to the creation of shelters by the Ministry of Social Affairs and of  proposals to amend the Labor Code, as well as other steps that they have done.