الملخص الإنجليزي
The aim of this study is to identify the most important characteristics of the runaway female domestic and those of the families experiencing the runaway. The study also attempts to reveal the causes of the runaway from the point of view of the fleeing domestic workers and the heads of households. The study sought to shed light on the impacts of female domestic workers runaway, and offer a set of proposals that might contribute to the alleviation of this phenomenon. The study was descriptive and combined both quantitative and qualitative methods. Data collection was based a questionnaire administered to a convenient sample of 50 household heads experiencing the runaway from both Bucher and Al Seeb. Interviews were also conducted with 50 arrested runaway female workers at the Ministry of manpower, Three of the owners of domestic labour recruitment offices were also interviewed. The results obtained can be summed up along the study themes as follows: Theme 1: Results of the questionnaire administered to family heads of households reveal that most families have at least once experienced runaway of a female domestic worker, most of them followed the procedure of reporting the case, and that most of the fleeing workers were subsequently arrested. Results of the interviews with the runaways showed that most were Indonesian, in the age group 30-40 years, and were not made aware of the Omani Labour Law and the consequences of running away. Theme 2: As for "the causes of runaway" most household respondents pointed a figure of blame towards the runaways mentioning ownership of private phone, on a number of causes leading to escape of domestic workers. From the perspective of parents, the main reason is: an over-confidence in not being punishment by the authorities, accessibility to private cell phone, and temptation by others. The main reasons for runaway from the point of view of the workers themselves: abuse, multiplicity of chores, low pay and delayed schedule, family size and house size. Results of interviews with labour recruiters share many of mentioned views. Theme 3: What follows are some of the impacts of the phenomenon of runaway domestic worker. First, at the level of the household: the financial burden of bringing in new workers, and loss of belongings. At the society level: increased rate of many crimes, such as theft, prostitution, and the emergence of a new class of citizens benefiting from runaway workers. Impacts on the workers themselves: renting a refuge a high price, fear and anxiety of being arrested by police, and loss of income. Theme 4: Finally, some proposals to address the problem of runaway domestic workers and its impact were directed to various stakeholders: households, communities, labour recruitment offices, concerned ministries, and runaway workers
