It's the maid's domain now

I've came a cross an intresting article in the GulfNews about maids setting out rules for who they want to be employed by specifing the nationality of the employer.

I don't cretisise their motives, but it comes with experiance of how they have been treated. At end of the day, they are humans like rest.

Maids turn the tables on prospective employers

By Sunita Menon and Daniel Bardsley, Staff Reporters

Dubai: We have all seen job adverts for employers who are after staff of one nationality or another.

Maybe the company is looking for an Indian driver, a Filipino office manager, an Arab public relations executive or a European construction manager.

However, the tables are now being turned and instead it is employees who are starting to specify the nationality of their employer.


Daniel Bardsley/Gulf News
Many job-seekers stick or place advertisements at public places, shopping centres, supermarkets or on walls although it is against municipality rules.


Many housemaids are now expressing a preference for one nationality or another in personal adverts that are on display in some of Dubai's shops.

For example, there is the "experienced maid" who is seeking "immediate employment with accommodation from a European family".

Another Sri Lankan maid who claims 12 years' experience in looking after children is looking for "full-time employment with an American or British family with sponsorship".

When asked why she was advertising for an American or a European family, Francesca, a 37-year-old Filipina, said it was "just the Filipino way".

"Some of the families from other countries pay you less salary but make you work harder," she said.

Francesca, who is currently in the UAE on a visit visa, said she would also happily work for a Chinese family, having spent 16 years employed by one in the past.

Radhika, 45, a Sri Lankan maid, said she preferred working with British, European and even Indian families because they treated maids well.

"I have experience working with these nationalities and it is quite good. I worked for three years for a British family in Dubai before they moved to Qatar.

"They treated me quite well. I was paid Dh1,400 a month. I used to get weekly days off and gifts for Christmas," she said.

Radhika said she ironed, cleaned and babysat for the British family and the working hours were not excessive.

She said a couple of Indian families had telephoned her and made enquiries about her work experience, family background and the salary she expects.

"I don't mind working for an Indian family. I have to get a job soon as my visit visa will expire in a few days," she said.

Lisa, 32, a Filipina maid who is in the UAE on a visit visa, said friends had advised her to try to find an employer from the United Kingdom or another European country.

A Dubai Municipality official said sticking or placing any adverts in a public place, shopping centre, supermarket or on walls is prohibited.

The Waste Service Section at the Environment Department of the Municipality had also issued a circular in January 2004 to shopping centres and supermarkets to remove any advertising material pasted in their premises. But the practice continues.

With additonal inputs from Ashfaq Ahmed.