Bahrain Shura votes for extending probation of maids

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Report by Mahir Haneef

The Bahrain Shura Council yesterday approved a proposal to amend the labour law to increase the probation period of domestic workers to six months from three months.

Four MPs had submitted the proposal to amend paragraph ‘A’ of Article 21 of the Labour Law in the Private Sector of 2012, which allows the minister concerned to extend the probationary period to six months for stipulated professions.

The Service Committee’s rapporteur, Dr. Fatema Abdijabbar Alkooheji, said the amendment allows employers a longer period to evaluate the domestic worker and the extent of their commitment and abilities.

It also gives domestic workers more time to ascertain whether the work is compatible with their capabilities, she said.

The impact of the cost of recruiting a domestic worker who decides to leave will be reduced if the amendment comes into effect, the rapporteur further said.

A longer probation period allows the employer to recover the fees incurred for recruitment if a domestic worker decides to leave, she added.

Supporting the amendment, MP Ali Ahmed Ali AlHaddad said there is an urgent need for such a change in law as there are people who want to smuggle domestic workers out of a household, and it is the employer who incurs a heavy cost.