Maid abuse part of Saudi way of life

Submitted by Adam Greaves (United Arab Emirates), Jun 16, 2005 at 08:22

Just go to www.arabnews.com and write 'Indonesian maid' in the search window. Most of the articles that come up refer to abuse, torture and in some cases, murder.

No one in Saudi Arabia seems to worry and the people responsible rarely get more than a symbolic punishment.

Even when maids are rescued, they are not allowed home without their employer's permission, and the Indonesian and Filipino Consulates maintain safe houses where some maids spend years before being allowed home. Usually they have to drop all charges against their employer and renounce unpaid salary before the employer will give them the exit visa they need to leave.

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