I am pleased to see such a move from the UAE (FNC approves bill that limits domestic staff's work hours, June 1). Too many expatriates who enjoy the perks of living in the Gulf region – having an au pair, a maid, a driver, a gardener – and who would most probably not be able to afford them in their countries of origin, turn into tyrants.
They take away their personal staff’s passports, have them live in rooms the size of a wardrobe and work them to death.
There is an adage: “Don’t do to others what you don’t want others to do to you.”
Workers who come to this region have families to feed back home. They need the money and wouldn’t run away if they were treated like a normal human being. We have lived in the GCC over 10 years and like many other western friends have been lucky to have had professional, loyal and beautiful human beings help us at home.
Hats off to UAE for taking this step. I hope it is truly implemented and enforced as there is too much abuse from the nouveau riches.
Isabelle Eula, Malaysia
This is a positive move in the laws governing the hiring of domestic staff.
However, I do believe that in order for the optimal employer and employee relationship to become the norm, the Government needs to remove the sponsor’s liability for their staff’s actions.
Akeela Bharuchi, Dubai
Congratulations to the FNC on the passage of a bill that limits working hours for housemaids and gives them paid annual leave and a day off to be spent as they choose.
Domestic workers do critical work – they help raise our children, they cook and clean for us – but across the globe they have been denied the protections given to other workers. It is wonderful to see the FNC’s willingness to address this issue.
If the law passes, I hope the Government will find a way to ensure that it is being followed.
Saba Brelvi, Abu Dhabi
Who will give a guarantee to the employer that the maid will not run away looking for a part-time job or for a man? To bring a maid here costs about Dh20,000.
They are unskilled and need to be trained for months. Who will guarantee that they will act like a mature person?
Kristina Margit, Abu Dhabi
I was surprised to read the views of Mohammed Al Ketbi who has been quoted in your story FNC approves bill that limits domestic staff's work hours (June 1) as saying: "If I have a maid and I allowed her to go out, she will get involved in illicit relationships and tomorrow she will come back to me pregnant, and then there will be a problem."
Does this mean that no female domestic staff should be allowed to leave the house?
Kathy Lee, Dubai
A way to reduce food waste
I thank the authorities for organising iftar at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Breaking the fast at such a lovely place with thousands of people is a great feeling.
However, I would like to point out that the crowd mostly comprises South Asians who are fond of spicy food. Their special favourite is chicken and mutton biryani. But the food served there is mostly Arabic, which is not very spicy. As a result, half of the food is wasted.
One way to reduce food waste during iftar is to serve Arabic dishes to Arabs and Asian food to Asians. I hope the authorities will look into this issue.
MA Mannan, Abu Dhabi