If the domestic complains about it, the man is prosecuted and she is paid compensation.
The problem is, the domestic often can't access anyone to complain to.
The Count is right, this is a big problem which I've seen personally during my time in S.A.
The girls -- many from poor families in Indonesia, Bangladesh, or Pakistan -- have NO ONE to speak up for them. Their families sell them into servitude through "service organizations," and often have no leverage in getting them returned or, unfortunately, just don't care about it. They have too many mouths to feed to start with, and need the income.
These girls are often confined to private homes, they don't speak Arabic, and they do what they're told, usually intimidated by the wife or the mother of the head of the family. If, after their contract is up, the employer decides to honor his side of the arrangement, then the servant is sent home. If not, tough.
By the way, it's not just girls who become "slaves," it's young men as well.
You're right about all expats having the passports held. It's scary, and one has to get an "exit visa" to leave the Kingdom. If, for some reason, you run into a "problem" getting your exit papers, well... there you stay, at your own expense.
Sure, there are some serv-orgs that are on the up-and-up, but there are many that are corrupt.
Climber
ps, you write: I lived in the region <not in SA> and I didn't have a bit of a problem with handing over my passport.
Saudi Arabia is a LOT different from the the rest of the Gulf. Why do you think so many Saudis spent their weekends in Bahrain, or Dubai? <g> |
