Maids must come to Bahrain through an agency and valid contract: MWPS

TDT | Manama                         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Staff Reporter

There have been many cases of domestic helpers being mistreated in Bahrain, and as many do not arrive in Bahrain through an agency, providing assistance to them can be difficult.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Evone Bhaskaran, action committee head of The Migrant Protection Society, said: “We receive around 10-11 cases monthly regarding house maids reporting cases of mistreatment, and usually, cases involve a heavy workload with inadequate pay.”

The Daily Tribune earlier reported that Bahrain has more than 50,000 registered domestic workers, coming from many different countries including the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Eritrea, Ghana and The Seychelles.

Bhaskaran said: “Usually a case consists of one lady made to clean multiple rooms and bathrooms, whilst tasked with responsibility for the washing and cooking. Many domestic helpers have informed The Migrant Protection Society that they are made to take care of multiple rooms that are located on different floors of the house.

“They must bring food to the house residents, walk up and down the different floors of the house throughout the day. Additionally, they are made to report back to each room once the residents are finished eating.”

In one particular case, Evone stated, the money for the daily food allowance is deducted from the domestic helper’s salary. In the afternoons, food will be provided to the domestic helper; however, in the morning and night, she is made to buy her own food while already on a low salary.

If the domestic helper requests money for food, they will deduct further from her salary, the Migrant Protection Society reported. Evone also pointed out that domestic helpers suffer in other ways, such as when they break a household item, or accidentally burn clothes whilst ironing, their employers deduct an amount from their salary.

They also experience verbal or physical abuse. Evone noted: “Many domestic helpers are not coming through an agency when they arrive in Bahrain. If there is no contract signed between both parties, there is not much that can be done, as there are no written terms of working hours, duties and responsibilities, and pay.”

Furthermore, those who are coming to Bahrain without any agreement and agency must pay for the person bringing them into the country. The amount is usually around BD100 for the ticket and handling charges, according to the Migrant Worker Protection Society. Evone said that domestic workers must come to Bahrain through an agency with a contract. This way, if problems arise, other sources can help as written terms are present and can be discussed.

“There was a specific case that a domestic helper was ensured an increase of her salary after three months; however, after six months, she did not receive any increase. She is made to clean, wash, and cook in a large house with 17 rooms and 11 bathrooms.

The issue is that she did not come through an agency; therefore, little can be done as there is no written agreements prior to working.” The Migrant Worker Protection Society has worked endlessly to help domestic workers seek justice. Evone urged all domestic workers to ensure they come to Bahrain through an agency. This way, if terms set forth in the agreement are not met, they can seek justice.