The Passports Department is devising a strategy to tackle illegal workers, beggars and hawkers in and around Grand Mosque in Makkah as Ramadan approaches. More staff will be assigned at the gateways to the central area surrounding the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the roads leading to it, Maj. Muhammad Al-Hussein, spokesman of the Passports Department in Makkah Region, said. He said implementation of the plan will start before the beginning of Ramadan. The department, he said, is working with the Committee for Countering Negative Phenomena. Al-Hussein warned citizens and residents against employing runaway housemaids. Violators face penalties, he added. He said the presence of an illegal male or female worker in a home is a danger to the family because the main concern of such people is to make quick gains by whatever means, whether legal or illegal. He said citizens should report runaway employees immediately at the 24-hour toll-free number 992. He said Ramadan sees more illegal housemaids being employed for as much as SR2,000 per month. The problems with the recruitment of housemaids from Indonesia and the Philippines have resulted in higher wages. He said runaway housemaids are employed normally through a female broker, who is paid SR200. The broker would then check the prospective employer's house to see how much work is required and how many children need care. This determines the wages. Brokers also require that housemaids are allowed to take off several days at the end of Ramadan; and that the housemaid does not work at the house for more than two months so that they can make more commission by providing the maid's services to another household. Adel Al-Hassani, a Saudi national, said many citizens employ runaway housemaids due to the current problems with recruitment. Majid Al-Hatrishi said regulations should be laid down to protect both parties – the housemaid and the family. “As for the first party, the housemaid, the reasons for the escape could be violence by the family, depriving her of her financial entitlements, or humiliation by some members of the family. This makes her escape and work at another home that guarantees a salary and shelter. Therefore, it is important to coordinate with the embassies of the housemaids' countries, the security authorities and recruitment offices in the case of an escape, to determine the real reasons,” he said Rayyan Sabahi, another Saudi national, said, “Those who help housemaids escape are invariably those with legal residence permits (Iqamas) and are of the same nationality as these housemaids. They are keen to find jobs for the runaway maids whether in the homes or in the private sector and in return they get a percentage of the salary. The result is the loss of the rights of citizens, recruitment offices and employers. The employment of runaway workers is one of the most serious crimes against the nation.” __
