Lankan Maid Dies Aboard Flight Home - Workers/Saudi Arabia/Jordan
Mohammed Rasooldeen; 30/1/08
A Sri Lankan maid who left the Kingdom on Saturday morning on Saudi Arabian Airlines flight SV784 died en route to Colombo. The woman, Letchumi Devi Rasiah, 30, was returning home on an exit visa after spending one year and 10 months in the Kingdom. The cabin crew gave medical aid when Letchumi developed chest pain two hours after the aircraft left Riyadh. An airline official in Colombo said that the entire crew had done its best to save the woman. “She was given oxygen and first aid was administered but to no avail.”
See: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=106266&d=30&m=1&y=2008
Labour Ministry officials study Philippine government decision -Jordan
Hani Hazaimeh;30/1/08
Labour Ministry officials confirmed on Tuesday that the Philippine government has temporarily banned female domestic helpers from coming to Jordan due to allegations of abuse by their employers. Labour Ministry Secretary General Majed Habashneh told The Jordan Times yesterday that ministry officials are studying the decision and considering several options such as exploring new markets for domestic helpers. Since early last year, around 200 Filipino domestic helpers have sought refuge at their embassy, refusing to go back to work and asking to be sent back home. Habashneh said he met with Philippine embassy officials and discussed the outcome of a meeting held by the joint committee formed to study the status of the 200 workers.
See: http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=5362