Pilgrims undertaking Haj this year will have two more embarkation points, up from 17 last time, and will have to pay Rs 16,000 instead of Rs 12,000 lastyear.
These decisions in relation to the month-long Haj pilgrimage beginning from Tuesday were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at New Delhi [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Madina’
Ranchi, Mangalore added as embarkation points for Haj
October 20th, 2009 |
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Haj to cost more this year Pilgrims going for the month- long Haj this year will have to shell out Rs.4,000 more for air fare from the existing Rs.12,000. Altogether 1,60,491,people will undertake the Haj this year. Of this, 1.15 lakh pilgrims will go under the aegis of the Haj Committee and get the benefit of government subsidy while the remaining will be through private tour operators. Under the government scheme, each pilgrim will have to pay Rs 16,000 for air fare and rest of the ticket cost will be borneHaj to cost more this year ina.
October 20th, 2009 |
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Pilgrims going for the month- long Haj this year will have to shell out Rs.4,000 more for air fare from the existing Rs.12,000.
Altogether 1,60,491,people will undertake the Haj this year. Of this, 1.15 lakh pilgrims will go under the aegis of the Haj Committee and get the benefit of government subsidy while the remaining [...]
First Saudi women work as maids
August 3rd, 2009 |
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The first group of Saudi housemaids has begun work under a government scheme, say reports from Saudi Arabia.
Until now, the job – which is regarded by many Saudis as demeaning – had been mostly restricted to Asian women.
The Saudi Ministry of Labour permitted Saudi women to work as maids two years ago, but there has been strong resistance to the move.
Thirty Saudi women aged between 20 and 45 have started work in Jeddah, according to the al-Madina newspaper.
Housemaids can face harsh conditions, including long hours, broken contracts and sexual abuse.
Intensive training
The women are contracted to work eight hours a day for a monthly wage of 1,500 Saudi riyal (£238; $400).
None of them is reported to have a primary school certificate.
Hana Uthman, an employment agency manager, told al-Madina that they had been selected after a series of interviews and intensive training.
He said another 100 women had applied for housemaid posts and were awaiting interview.
Mr Uthman added that the women were supposed to carry out their duties when the male heads of household were out.
Their employers are reported to have signed forms pledging to treat the housemaids in accordance with the law.
The labour ministry’s decision two years ago to allow Saudi women to work as maids provoked controversy.
There is a strong social stigma attached to the work, but supporters, such as impoverished widows, argue they need opportunities for honest work.</p
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.