AL-AHSA: Despite the repeated warnings of the Ministry of Labor against transferring a housemaid from one sponsor to a new employer, the black market for housemaids has again flourished with the imminent arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. Along with this has come a substantial increase in labour salaries per month, with some estimates reaching up to SR6,000.
Youssef Al-Jabr, Chairman of the Lawyers Committee of the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “This might amount to human trafficking, which is the third most significant crime in the Kingdom after drugs and arms trafficking. The practice relies on an element of threat or coercion to exploit an individual, and especially affects women and children.”
Al-Jabr said that the brokers are operating a black market and are making the services of runaway maids available to those in need of domestic help, which is a crime punishable by law, confirming that this practice must be stopped as it endangers community due to the presence of irregular labor that cannot be traced.
Al-Jabr urged Saudi families not to hire housemaids supplied by unscrupulous recruiters to help stop such illegal business. He also warned the public against falling prey to messages sent on social networks offering runaway housemaids.
Some owners of licensed labor recruiters have asked the Ministry of Labor to stop the illicit practice and to impose severe sanctions against the traders, brokers, employers, and all others involved in such violation of the law.
Regardless, Al-Ahsa families typically agree that there is a dire need for housemaids during Ramadan, despite the steep hike in their salaries during this month.
A Saudi housewife in Al-Ahsa said: “The demand for housemaids becomes urgent during Ramadan because of the numerous household chores, the guests and the social events; therefore, any family that does not have a maid is forced to hire one despite the unreasonably high salaries they charge for the month.”
Families urged not to hire housemaids illegally
Families urged not to hire housemaids illegally
Saudi Cabinet condemns ‘blatant’ Iranian aggression; affirms Kingdom’s right to respond to threats
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has warned it reserves the “full right” to respond to Iranian aggression following a series of “blatant and cowardly” strikes targeting the capital and the Eastern Province.
The warning came during a late-night Cabinet session on Tuesday, chaired by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman via videoconference, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
During the session, the Cabinet “reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full solidarity with the brotherly countries whose territories were subjected to blatant Iranian aggression”, signaling a united front against regional threats.
The session followed a dramatic escalation of hostilities, including a direct drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh.
Major General Turki al-Malki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, confirmed that while air defenses intercepted multiple threats, the embassy compound sustained a “limited fire and minor material damage.”
General Al-Malki further announced that Saudi forces successfully intercepted and destroyed eight additional drones targeting the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj early Tuesday morning.
In a sharp rebuke of the embassy strike, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) cited a flagrant violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“The repetition of this flagrant Iranian behavior... will push the region toward further escalation,” the Ministry stated, underscoring that these provocations occurred despite Riyadh’s explicit policy of not allowing its airspace or territory to be used as a launchpad for strikes against Iran.
Global condemnation and solidarity
The Cabinet expressed deep appreciation for the wave of international support as world leaders condemned Tehran’s “indiscriminate” behavior.
In a joint show of force, the US and GCC member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE) along with Jordan stood united, labeling the strikes a “dangerous escalation” and reaffirming a collective right to self-defense.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and India. — including Prime Minister Narendra Modi — voiced strong solidarity with the Kingdom. The UK government confirmed its forces are engaged in “defensive actions” to maintain regional stability.
Amid the heightened military tension, the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s hospitality efforts for GCC citizens currently stranded at Saudi airports due to regional airspace closures. The crown prince reaffirmed that the state would mobilize all capabilities to support brotherly nations in any measures they take to restore regional peace and stability.
