Jakarta, Manila concerned over Saudi maid ban

RIYADH: Senior Indonesian and Philippine officials have expressed concern over the Kingdom's decision to ban recruitment of domestic workers, which has put a question mark on the fate of thousands of prospective migrant workers and those whose Saudi work visas are ready to be processed.

The ban has also left the officials and diplomats of the two countries in limbo with doors closed for further negotiations, at least for the time being.

"The Indonesian government has earmarked a budget to help its stranded workers and has taken steps to create more job opportunities for them inside the country," said Hendrar Pramutyo, a spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy. Pramutyo told Arab News that he is also concerned about the fate of a third Indonesian maid who might be executed on July 3, if reports appearing in a section of the Indonesian media are to be believed.