Muscat, Jun 15 (ANI): The Indian government has decided to tighten service contract regulations to protect Indian housemaids taking up employment in the Gulf nations.

"The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has decided to introduce changes to the service agreements of housemaids being brought from India to Oman with effect from June 20, 2011," said a press release issued by the Indian Embassy.

Under the new regulations it has been made mandatory for prospective employers to submit salary certificate of minimum monthly wages of 1,000 Omani riyals.

"Irrespective of employers' nationality those below 1,000 riyals monthly salary will not be able to hire Indian housemaids," Gulf News quoted a spokesperson for the Indian Embassy, as saying.

He, however, added that the combined salary of husband and wife would be considered for the minimum 1,000 riyals wage.

The embassy official also said that the employers would be required to provide a bank guarantee of 1,100 riyals while recruiting a housemaid.

"Every employer, including Indian nationals residing in Oman, will have to furnish bank guarantee if they wish to recruit an Indian housemaid," he said.

The government has also imposed age restriction of between 30 and 50 for Indian housemaids.

The new regulations also say that the employer will have to book a direct flight to India while repatriating a housemaid. This clause has been added to ensure employers don't play around with housemaid's return journey for sake of cheaper fares.

According to new regulations to recruit an Indian housemaid, employers are required to pay salaries through the banking channels. Where banking channels are not available, a bilingual salary slip signed by both the sponsor and the housemaid will be necessary.

The embassy has already intimated Oman's Ministry of Manpower about the changes in housemaid service contract.