Domestic workers face significant challenges: US

WASHINGTON: Against the backdrop of chopping off an Indian maid's hand in Saudi Arabia, the US has said domestic workers face significant challenges in exercising their rights and are vulnerable to abuse.

The US State Department, however, did not make any direct comment on the inhuman treatment meted out to the Indian domestic worker in Saudi Arabia.

"We recognise that domestic workers - most of whom are women and girls - face significant challenges in exercising and realising their labour rights, negotiating or accessing reliable information about the terms and conditions of their employment, or receiving benefits and protections commonly enjoyed by other workers," Halaena White, a State Department spokesperson, said.

"Because they are often invisible, domestic workers are particularly vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, including human trafficking," she said.

"The US government works to protect the rights of domestic workers domestically and internationally," she said.

"We strongly support the work of the International Labour Organisation, its tripartite partners, and civil society to work together to enable domestic workers to receive the protections they richly deserve and to enjoy their rights fully," Halaena said.