The cost of recruiting an Indonesian housemaid has reached BD1,200 ($3200) compared to BD800 in January, while sponsors have to pay about BD1,000 to recruit a Filipino maid, a report said.

Bahrain Recruiters’ Society chairman Fareed Al Mahmeed said countries exporting domestic helpers aren’t in a position to meet Bahraini market demand due particularly to ill-treatment and abuse of housemaids in Gulf households.

At present, Indonesian maids top the list of domestic helpers hired through recruiting agencies, followed by maids brought in from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Recruitment of Indian and Ethiopian housemaids has become too difficult due to strict measures, although they are in big demand, he added, reports our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej. – TradeArabia News Service