Syed Hussein Al -Qassab
The Philippine government announced the raising of the minimum salaries of domestic workers abroad from 400 to 500 dollars per month, an increase of 100 dollars, provided that the decision will be implemented during the coming period.
The circular included the inclusion of the new wage in all official contracts, in addition to a package of accompanying reforms, among them the obligation of employers to the annual medical examinations and the application of the video interview protocol before signing the contracts, as well as the launch of digital systems to follow up the conditions of employment.
Jalal Zayed, a member of the owner of the Lazord Office of Lazord, explained that what was raised about the decision came from informal parties, noting that the offices in Bahrain have not yet received any confirmation from the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant embassy, but that the matter is not excluded, and it may be true.
He indicated that the salary of the Philippine worker in Bahrain is currently 150 dinars, and if the news is correct, it will increase to 190 dinars, while the average cost of recruitment is about 1500 dinars, and it is expected to reach 2000 dinars.
He stated that the Philippine worker costs the citizen within two years approximately 5700 dinars, including recruitment fees, monthly salaries, vacation allowance and end -of -service reward, while the cost with the new increase will rise to about 6660 dinars.
Al-Zayed pointed out that the percentage of turnout on Filipino workers in Bahrain is currently 60-70% compared to other nationalities, suggesting that this percentage will decrease clearly if the decision is applied.
He stressed that the citizen will be the first affected by raising salaries, explaining that the decision is sovereign from the Philippine state and there is no relationship with the workforce offices in it, pointing out that most of the applicants of this nationality are medium and high income, but with the new increase, even those with medium income may be unable to bear the costs.
He revealed that the Bahrain Association for Recruitment Offices, which includes about 60 offices, held a meeting during which it expressed its objection to raising prices, and also conducted contacts with recruitment offices in the Gulf states, which in turn expressed dissatisfaction, and it is expected that a unified Gulf address will be directed to the Philippine government.
Al -Zayed explained that the Philippine workers are distinguished by being educated, and many of them hold university degrees and master the English language, which makes them the most demanding in the Bahraini market, in addition to the existence of official coordination between Bahrain and the Philippines that guarantee the contracts legally.
At the end of his statement, he expressed his hope that this increase will not be imposed, and that the prices will remain the same, indicating that it is not unlikely to be applied in the future.
