Temporary permits to hire housemaids

Temporary permits to hire housemaids
By Ahmed Abdul Aziz (Our staff reporter)KHALEEJ TIMES 16 March 2008

ABU DHABI - Sponsors - both nationals and expatriates - could be issued temporary permits allowing them to hire drivers and domestic servants like housemaids for three months from their current sponsors, if the latter agree, in Abu Dhabi emirate, said Director of the Abu Dhabi Natrualisation and Residency Department Colonel Nasir Al Awadi Al Minhali.

He told Khaleej Times in an interview recently that the temporary permits would cost Dh500 and would be valid for three months and could be renewed in case the current sponsor agreed.

“This step is being taken to give the new sponsors the chance to hire maids for three months as a probation period before transferring the sponsorship if they want to do so,” Col Al Minhali said.

The temporary permits for maids were to avoid hiring of illegals and facilitate completion of formalities by giving the applicants various options.

“The temporary permit to hire maids from another sponsor is to protect the rights of the housemaids and also to weed out illegals from the country,” Col Al Minhali said.

The ADNRD would intensify inspections at the agencies involved in hiring housemaids.

Col Al Minhali affirmed that the decision-makers had no intention to increase the fees for visit, employment and domestic servant visas.

The ADNRD was carrying out a survey to find out the reasons behind the emergence of illegals in the country. The survey would be completed by the end of this month. The survey would also enumerate the numbers and addresses of the agencies supplying housemaids in the emirate.