A day off is 'not for everyone'



DUBAI // Ali Al Kaff, a 31-year-old Emirati whose family employs four housekeepers, said giving a domestic worker a day off is a great idea, but added that it might not work for "more traditional" families.

His Filipino housekeepers get a day off for church, on their birthdays, and on special occasions.

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They are also free to attend dance and computer classes and have access to wireless internet for a few hours a day, he said.

"The important thing we have found as a family is how responsible the domestic worker is," Mr Al Kaff said. "We noticed that religion and the level of education is important."

He said, in his family's experience, Christian workers with good English tended to be more responsible.

Merty, one of Mr Al Kaff's housekeepers, who did not give her last name, said: "My employers allow us to go out and I have been working with them for eight years, because they're a good family and they're not treating us like housemaids but like one family. So I love them, especially mama, and I treat Ali like my brother."

"I have friends whose employer is local and they don't let them go outside, but we can go outside anywhere, not only when we have something to do," she said. "I want to tell local families to allow at least a day or two off once a month. I have one friend whose employer is local and she ran away because she wanted to go out."

Mariam, a 45-year-old Emirati, said she has heard many stories of housekeepers absconding. "The issue with giving them a day off is that they may run away and, if this happens, would there be a law that protects the local sponsor?

"In our freej [neighbourhood], we hear a lot of stories of maids who ran away after taking out the rubbish," she said.

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
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Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
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Martin Sabbagh profile

Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East

In the role: Since January 2015

Lives: In the UAE

Background: M&A, investment banking

Studied: Corporate finance

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