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Maids passport withheld

Maids passport withheld

Old Jan 11th 2012, 12:59 pm
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Default Maids passport withheld

Hello - looking for some help. We are looking to move from Bahrain to AD and would like to take our maid with us. Only thing is her Bahraini sponsor has withheld her passport and has said they want paying to return it. This isnt legal Im sure, but does anyone know the best way of getting the maids passport back, preferably without trouble or payment? Any advice or insight greatly appreciated...thank you!!
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Old Jan 11th 2012, 1:35 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

If you're not her sponsor then both you and her could get into a lot of trouble for employing her.
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Old Jan 11th 2012, 1:45 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

Thanks Seven Seas, yes I understand that. But, employing maids under someone elses sponsorship is as common practice as withholding a passport. Both of which are not legal... Do you have any advice on where we can go from here?
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Old Jan 11th 2012, 2:06 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

Originally Posted by seven seas
If you're not her sponsor then both you and her could get into a lot of trouble for employing her.
I believe the rules are different in Bahrain darling..maids work on their own visas there
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Old Jan 11th 2012, 6:08 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

Originally Posted by popsicle
Thanks Seven Seas, yes I understand that. But, employing maids under someone elses sponsorship is as common practice as withholding a passport. Both of which are not legal... Do you have any advice on where we can go from here?
you'll probably have to pay her out i guess although the whole thing sounds a bit weird. most maids in bahrain who have their own visa (using a local sponsor) have paid for it up front. the going rate used to be BD600 for a 2 year visa..

the fact that her sponsor has her passport almost implies there is some other agreement in place. maybe he paid her for visa and she is supposed to pay him a cut of her salary. if this is the case i completely get why he won't release her passport.

just call the guy up. don't rely on the maid to do the negotiating. there are sometimes stories being told that aren't necessarily true..
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Old Jan 11th 2012, 7:04 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

oh shit I didn't read the question properly..
If he paid for her visa and flight etc etc then he wouldn't be too pleased to see her leave till he gets his 'share'.
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Old Jan 12th 2012, 7:42 am
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

...so looks like we will need to *buy her out* - thanks. Yep, will definitely deal with the sponsor directly. I dont think there is anything untowards as such. As I understand it, the housemaid came over directly from her country to work for the Bahraini family on a 2 year sponsored visa, but it didnt work out. From her perspective she was left on her own to clean a very large house and look after a child whilst both parents worked, regularly ending up working from 6am to 1am six days a week. Madam didnt rate her work and she made mistakes here and there which were punished. She couldnt handle it anymore and left about 6 months in. We have been very happy with her work and pay what I would call a reasonable wage under reasonable working conditions. So we are all happy. Im sure if push came to shove we could find another maid in the uae, but we are very happy with the one we have and my children adore her. I want a good resolution for everyone and on a personal level feel some moral responsibility. As she said, she is worried that she will be in a position that she has seen other ladies in where they end up *working in the hotels* to provide enough for the family and pay her way out... Thanks all!
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Old Jan 12th 2012, 4:48 pm
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Default Re: Maids passport withheld

Norsk is bang on

Also don't believe a word your maid says until proven.

You are also paying compensation for her sponsors loss of future income.
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