Domestic
workers from The Philippines and Indonesia (amongst others) have long been exploited
by Saudi Arabia and other nations, primarily in the Middle-East; however there
is even a tendency for that to happen in Malaysia too. The difference is that
Malaysia has made efforts to change this.
These
workers from Indonesia and the Philippines are escaping the poverty of their existence
in those countries. Indeed they contribute a large amount to the GDP of their countries.
There is no excuse for the treatment they commonly receive in the countries
they work in. There have been far too many reports of horrific abuse and even
death at the hands of employers who should be protecting their workers. Much of
this abuse goes unreported because to do so would mean losing the employment that
the workers need in order to send money back to their families at home. Without
that money, the families would doubly suffer.
It is
therefore the responsibility of the home nations and the recipients of the workers’
endeavours to guarantee, a liveable basic wage and working conditions that we
associate with another era. I is good to see that both Governments; the
Indonesian and the Philippines, are pushing for better conditions for their
nationals. Saudi Arabia needs to pull its head from the ‘medieval sands’ and ac
t strongly too. It has the wealth to pay decent wages but not the will to improve
the lot of these hard-working people.
Then again,
they don’t allow the freedoms for their own people that one would associate with
a modern nation. It seems that the ‘princes’ of Arabia are still living in
walled palaces and to hell with anyone criticising their play boy like lifestyles.
It is little wonder that Al-Qaida has support within the populace that inhabits
other than palace-like dwellings. Of course they can continue their lack of
action, simply because the USA is loath to withdraw support from this oil-producing
bastion in the Middle-East. Oh for less reliance on fossil fuels!
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