Age limit of Saudi bound maids raised to 25

Ishara Mudugamuwa

The government raised the age limit of housemaids leaving for Saudi Arabia to 25 years to phase out sending housemaids abroad gradually, said Mass Media and Information Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella. He was addressing the media at the Cabinet press briefing at the ministry yesterday.

“As per the proposal by Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, Cabinet approval has been granted to impose conditions on female domestic workers seeking Employment opportunities abroad in future,” the minister said.

He said the minimum age for Saudi Arabia is 25 for housemaids and all female workers should have completed 21 days residential training and obtained National Vocational Qualification(NVQ) level 3 certificate for “Domestic Housekeeping Assistant”.

“The minimum age limit for the other seven other Middle East Countries is 23 years and they should also have to obtain the NVQ level three certificate and complete 1 year residential training.” the minister said.

He further said the minimum age for Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cyprus and other countries is 21 years and prospective job seekers have to complete 30 days residential training and obtain NVQ Level 3 certificate for Domestic Housekeeping Assistant.

“Cabinet approval has also been granted to design and implement a joint support housing programme and reintegration programme for migrant workers according to joint proposals made by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment(SLBFE) will place a fixed deposit of Rs. 100 million from its own funds, with the Samurdhi Bank,” said the cabinet Spokesman.

The Minister further added that the Samurdhi bank will also provide housing loans to migrant workers identified by SLBFE to cover the cost of construction of houses over Rs.50,000 up to a maximum of Rs.300,000 and the Samurdhi Bank and Rural Development Bank will also provide loans up to Rs.250,000 for small and medium industries for returnee migrant workers identified by the SLBFE.