Employers of domestics asked to deposit airfare with ‘Interior’

Sponsors of maids to pay deportation expenses
The Ministry of Interior is obligating a sponsor who wants to hire a maid from overseas to pay to the Immigration Fund money equivalent to one-way ticket to the country of origin of the maid, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting reliable sources.
The daily added this is to ensure that if the maid is reported absconding or is arrested for committing a crime the government will deport the maid at the expense of the sponsor.
The sources said the decision was based on a study prepared by the General Immigration Department which accused the sponsors of failing to provide ticket money for the maid when she is arrested and as a result the maid remains in detention for a long period of time and as a result she is subjected to many negativities.

The sources said a similar decision has been adopted by a number of Gulf states and has proved to be effective.
The sources indicated the ministry has taken into account the fact that the domestic helper may be working for someone when she is reported absconding by the original sponsor. In such cases the money will be returned to the sponsor.