Indian missions impose strict measures to stop ''maid abuse''

Dubai, Mar 10 (UNI) Amid reports of increasing abuse of housemaids by their employers, Indian embassies in the Gulf countries are coordinating on measures to regulate their working conditions and imposing strict rules to prevent the offense.

Indian missions, in view of the concern expressed by local authorities and community organisations, are imposing strict measures that recruitment agents should meet them before being allowed to send maids from India.

''Only registered recruiting agents are allowed under the new campaign, which also envisages attestation of employment contracts by the local Indian mission and signed by the agents,'' reports in local newspapers said.

The recruiting agents will also have to agree to immediately pay for the repatriation of the housemaid, in the event of any abuse, they added.

A two-day meeting on this issue would be held in the Qatar's capital, Doha on March 19. It will be addressed by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi.

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