Saudi Arabia will soon start recruiting housemaids from Vietnam and Nepal, according to Deputy Labor Minister Mofarej Al-Haqbani, Al Arabiya reported.
"Agreements to this effect will be signed with the two countries before the Hajj season in October," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette on Sunday during an Eid party organized by his ministry for its employees.
"The Vietnamese have asked to visit the Kingdom in this connection. Their request was accepted and they will soon be here," he said.
He added that the procedures for importing housemaids from Nepal would soon be completed and they will arrive in the Kingdom as soon as agreements were signed and ratified.
Haqbani expected the agreements with the two countries to help organize the labor market and said joint teams would be established to resolve problems in a timely manner.
The Kingdom recently started recruiting housemaids from India.
Haqbani praised the step and said the Indian housemaids have been warmly welcomed by Saudi employers.
The deputy minister also said private recruitment offices submitted to the ministry in mid-Ramadan a comprehensive study about the main problems facing the importing of foreign manpower.
"The study also examined how future cooperation with the ministry could organize the labor market," he said.
Haqbani said the ministry would soon consider the study and convey its feedback to the recruitment offices.
He commended the role of the offices and said they represent an effective tool in managing the labor market.
"The ministry will fully support these offices and make the effort to solve any problem facing them," he said.