83 maids working illegally arrested

The Search and Follow-up Department (SFD) at the Ministry of Interior has busted six gangs involved in trafficking and employing domestic workers staying in the country illegally after running away from their employers.

A total of 83 housemaids and 21 male workers were taken into custody from different parts of the country for violating the Residence Law, according to a statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the ministry.

The action by the SDF followed a tip-off that some people were involved in harbouring domestic workers and employing them illegally after luring them away from their sponsors with promises of better payment.

“To deal with the matter, the department formed a team to investigate and arrested the culprits before further illegal activities were committed,” a spokesman said.

“After identifying their location and after receiving permission from the Public Prosecution, the police team raided the houses where the illegal residents were staying.

“Eighty-three housemaids from East Asia who had run away from their sponsors were caught. There were absconding complaints registered against them. A total of 21 men of different nationalities were also arrested for facilitating the illegal employment of these housemaids as well as on charges of running away from their employers,” the spokesman said.

During interrogation, the gang members confessed that they used to “smuggle” the housemaids from their sponsors and housed them in different places.

The gang leaders used to collect large amounts from the women to provide them with shelter and keep them away from security agencies.

The gangs and the maids are currently held in police custody for further investigation and will later be referred to the Public Prosecution.

Director of the SFD Brigadier Nasser Eissa al-Sayed said the inspection campaign to catch the violators of the Residence Law will continue.

Brig Al-Sayed warned companies and individuals about harbouring violators of the Residence Law and urged them to report absconding cases to the authorities.