JEDDAH — The temporary ban on recruitment of Ethiopian housemaids might be lifted soon because the Ministry of Labor does not have alternative countries to recruit labor from, according to a ministry source, Al-Sharq daily reported. The source said: “We don't have any plans to stop recruitment from Ethiopia permanently because most of the countries we have had negotiations with did not agree to our terms and conditions.” Most countries did not agree with the ministry about working hours, salary, and short vacation time for such workers. One of the Arab countries agreed to send drivers but not housemaids to the Kingdom. The source noted that 20 countries have refused the ministry's terms and conditions. The ministry halted recruitment activities from Ethiopia temporarily last month following a number of crimes committed by housemaids from the country. Earlier the ministry said it had reached an agreement with nine countries and was holding discussions with them in order to sign recruitment contracts. It said it would sign a recruitment deal with India soon. The ministry also had negotiations with Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Laos, Bangladesh and other Asian countries. — SG
