DOHA: The Central Municipal Council (CMC) is against domestic workers being covered by new proposed sponsorship and exit permit rules. CMC Chairman Saud Al Hanzab told local Arabic daily Al Raya in comments published yesterday that household workers like maids, drivers and cooks should be kept out of the purview of the new sponsorship and exit permit systems. “We don’t want to see families being blackmailed by domestic workers. They could leave if offered a job by some other family with a salary that is just 100 riyals more.” CMC member Ahmed Al Sheeb said families spend up to QR15,000 to hire domestic workers and spend further by sending drivers to obtain licence. “They could learn driving at our expense and try for a job elsewhere. Is it justified?” asked Al Hanzab.
