India sets wages for housemaids abroad
India has begun rolling out mandatory minimum wage requirements for housemaids working in the Gulf and parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, a minister said Friday.
"They are the most exploited lot," Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told AFP, citing frequent complaints of harassment, overwork and low wages from female domestic workers.
"They are not covered by the labour laws of those countries."
Indian embassies in 18 countries have been told to prescribe minimum monthly wages for maids in the range of 300 to 350 dollars in consultation with local governments, the minister said.
"Otherwise we will not give them clearance to go," said Ravi, adding that he expected Indian embassies in the countries concerned to issue wage guidelines by the beginning of March.
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