Dubai: Pakistani community members in the UAE have demanded their government to lift a ban on employing housemaids from their country.

The ban on hiring Pakistani housemaids abroad has been in place since the early 80s by the government of late President General Zia-ul Haq.

"Getting a housemaid has become a real problem. I employed at least three housemaids from different nationalities but had to send them back because of cultural differences and language barriers," said Fatima Shaikh, a housewife in Dubai.

She said the government should lift the ban on hiring maids from Pakistan to resolve the issue.

Naheed Nafees, Chairperson of the Women's Wing of the Pakistan Association said that ban should be lifted but with certain restrictions to protect them. "Pakistani maids should only be allowed to work with Pakistani families here," she added.

Other options

Sadaf Abid, fashion designer in Sharjah, said that things have changed over the last 20 years since the ban was imposed. "Now, it's time to open up and rethink. Let our women work outside the country. I have been trying to get a maid but in vain," she said.

She said that some rich Pakistani families have got maids from Pakistan but they are not on housemaid visas. "Since visas for Pakistani maids are not given, these people get maids on other visas such as office secretary or office assistants. The housemaids are being brought here anyway. It is better to give this option to everyone," she said.

An official at the Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai said the ban on maids were imposed after reports of sexual harassment and their involvement in 'prostitution'.


Your comments


I personally think Pakistan must not lift this ban on bringing maids from Pakistan. I am a Pakistani and I do not find any problem with hiring maids from other countries. I am sure if the ban is lifted, lots of Pakistani maids will be brought here and exploited by their employers. Secondly, I would not want a Pakistani maid to work for any other nationality and to be treated badly and looked down upon. The only good option is to lift the ban and only allow Pakistani maids to work for Pakistani families.
Shaaista
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 09:03

No, we should not allow Pakistani women to work here as a house maids, because even Pakistani nationals abuse their maid servants.
Shaikh Mohammed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 08:14

The cause of law was harassment and their involvement in prostitution which I think was a right decision.
Ibrahim
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 08:02

Why doesn't the Pakistani community gather together and petition the government? Is there any representative body here for the common man (or woman)?
Salman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 07:56

In my opinion this ban should remain and I request Pakistani families to live a healthy life by doing their own kitchen, laundry, babysitting etc. Our ancestors used to do so, and lived very health long lives, without any problems of tension, blood pressure, cholesterols and sugar.
Javed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 07:43

I strongly request the Pakistan government to lift the ban. I know so many of my friends who bring their housemaid on visit visa to work for them. Pakistan and UAE governments should check the status of person who want a housemaid, in that way at least they can reduce the risk of abusing housemaids.
Laeeq
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 06:50

I don't know why this ban exists. I am Canadian and with my 2 years of experience working in the UAE, I find employers take advantage of this ban.
Sevan
Fujairah,UAE
Posted: October 31, 2007, 05:53