Indonesia will stop sending new domestic workers to 21 Middle Eastern countries, according to recent reports in the local media.

The ban affects countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Egypt, and will come into effect in three months’ time, Manpower Minister Hanif Dhakiri was cited as saying, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Jakarta has long complained about the treatment of Indonesian maids in the Middle East. The new move is meant to be permanent.

Maids already working in the affected countries will be allowed to stay and continue in their positions. - TradeArabia News Service