The Ministry of Labor has imposed tighter restrictions on the issuance of visas to Saudi employers who harass their staff in order to protect the rights of domestic workers.  Visas will not be issued for domestic helpers, like housemaids, to Saudi employers who have violated local regulations and contractual obligations.  Although similar measures were in place before, they were not enforced.

The Ministry of Labor is working to compile a list of violating employers.  The ministry will blacklist all sponsors involved in cases of harassment.  A first-time violator will have to sign an agreement with a clause ensuring full protection to workers.  If the offense is repeated, the employer will be disqualified from applying for any more visas.

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According to a statement from Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the country will impose visa requirements on Moroccan visitors from June and Moroccan visitors will also be required to have a local contact for their visa applications.  This could be due to the international attention Moroccans are receiving amid suspicion over the involvement of Moroccan militants in terror attacks, although the authority did not offer an explanation for the changes were being implemented.

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Twelve Israeli Border Policemen were arrested last week for allegedly beating and robbing Palestinians.  Nine have admitted to the allegations and are currently under house arrest.  All Border Patrol troops in Israel have been ordered to attend lectures on civil rights and how to treat civilians.  The Public Security Minister’s office said in a statement that although this type of behavior by Border Policemen is an exception to the rule of conduct, it is reprehensible.