RIYADH — A study conducted by King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) has revealed that 27.5 percent of Saudi families prefer Indonesian maids, while 17.3 percent prefer Filipinos. The study based its findings on a survey of 1,000 families. It was conducted by the KACND as an experimental research on the role of maids in Saudi society. The study, which will form the basis for other future studies with respect to other social issues, also indicated that Saudi families were not confident that these maids had received proper training. About 69 percent of the families believe that the newly recruited maids are not receiving appropriate training, while 18 percent were satisfied with the pre-employment training imparted to maids. Seventy-six percent of the participants agreed that maids have an influence on the behavior of their sponsor's children. About 70 percent believe that there has been an increase in the number of domestic helpers in the Kingdom. About 46 percent of the respondents believe that this was due to an increase in the number of working women who need maids to help in their house chores, while 23 percent believe that it was due to expanding families. Forty-two percent of respondents did not have an opinion on the newly formed recruitment companies, as there was not enough information available to them. On delayed payment of wages and other working terms, 57 percent of respondents said they were paying salaries to their maids on time, and 31 percent acknowledged that several maids are deprived of a weekly day-off.
