A DRAFT law that outlines job contracts for domestic workers has been approved by parliament.

The bill, proposed by Al Asala Parliamentary Bloc, organises the relationship between employers and housemaids, and mentions criteria for contracts and punishments for breach of contract.

It also stipulates that housemaids could only be brought to Bahrain through licenced manpower agencies and employers will have to deposit BD500 before flying them in.

The 24-article proposal will be revised by the government and drafted into a law before resubmitting it to the National Assembly during its new four-year term, which starts at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, parliament approved an amendment to the Labour Law, which allows legal action against employers who provide false information to bring in foreign workers.

The penalty is between three months and a year in jail, or fine between BD1,000 and BD2,000, or both.

The punishment will be doubled if the offence is repeated.