JOIN US"The changes are aimed at protecting the housemaids from abuse and providing skilled manpower to the Omani households," a statement released by the Indian embassy in Oman said.
The issue was discussed between representatives of India's Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the Omani Ministry of Manpower during a Joint Working Group meeting under the MOU on Manpower between the two countries last month.
As per new rules, employers will be required to produce a salary certificate of 1000 Omani riyal per month (USD 259).
"Employers will be required to provide a bank guarantee of 1100 riyals (USD 285) while recruiting a housemaid. The security guarantee will be used for the repatriation of the housemaid only in case her employer fails to honour the service agreement. In the normal course, the amount is reimbursable to the employer," it said.
"In case a sponsor agrees to release the housemaid to another sponsor, a new agreement will have to be signed by the new sponsor. In case of an employer having more than 6 members in the family, more than one housemaid will need to be employed. The age of the housemaid will not be less than 30 years and not more than 50 years. When repatriating the housemaid, the ticket is to be booked by a direct flight to India," it added.
Salary to the housemaid must be paid through banking channels. Where banking channels are not available, a bilingual salary slip signed by both the sponsor and the housemaid will be necessary.