New contracts 'will protect rights of maids'

Dubai: The Ministry of Interior will soon issue new contracts for domestic helpers which will protect their rights, said a ministry official.

Brigadier Mohammad Ahmad Rashid Al Merri, Director-General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) told Gulf News there will be new regulations which will protect domestic helpers and allow them to work in a healthy environment.

"The new domestic contracts will limit their work hours in accordance with international principals," he said.

Brig Al Merri added the new contracts were aimed at protecting their financial and moral rights.

"The relationship between the employer and the domestic helper will be very specific in a way that both of them will have their rights cared for. We are holding a meeting with other authorities to finalise this issue as soon as possible," he said

Brig Al Merri said this step would benefit the whole community.

"It will reduce the number of absconding housemaid cases and will alleviate the burden of such problems. I truly appreciate the step taken by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is keen to legalise, standardise and regulate labour issues in the country. Shaikh Mohammad is always paying attention to the labourer and domestic help category in society," Brig Al Merri said.

He said the Ministry of Interior was working on the matter and it would be ready shortly.

Recruitment agents said they hoped the measure would be effective. Manal from the Al Dawli labour agency in Sharjah said it would be good if the authority took into consideration the fact that some domestic helpers never received their salaries.

"Some of the sponsors here withhold the salary of the housemaid. It is a problem which should be raised and solved. It really needs an urgent solution. I have seem many housemaids who have worked here for two years and then are forced to go back to their country without any money."

She said that sponsors of different nationalities always tried to find an excuse not to pay their domestic helper.

"When a housemaid comes to us complaining that she has not been paid we try using all means possible with the sponsor and authorities to get her money but unfortunately the sponsor always has ready-made replies such as the housemaid had spoiled their Dh5,000 washing machine or she had broken the new mobile phone or maybe she has burnt an expensive new dress while ironing."

She added at the end of the day the housemaid preferred to go home without being paid her salary otherwise she would be asked to pay damages.

Manal added domestic helpers should be treated as member of the family they are working for. They should be given rest hours, food and medical care.

I have a house maid (or home executive to be politically correct). She is paid all monies owed to her, always. She has all HR problems sorted out with us, with her benefits such as leave requirements etc. She seems to be happy with her job and she does a fantastic job too. For this arrangement, I get a happy productive staff member, a baby sitter and an occasional house secretary. Why try and hold money from someone if you lose out on the above, in the commercial industry and/or at home. Are we alone?
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi,UAE

It's very fine to know th new regulation. But at the same time there may be fraud on the part of some maids who will say foolishly that the sponsor has not given money. Take some steps for that. Another is that sexual harassment from sponsor to maids should be tackled. So the rules and regualtions should also factor in these issues.
Shinu
Dubai,UAE

I truly appreciate the step taken by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Capt Manoli Rais
Dubai,UAE

I was working in the recruiting agency for almost three years now and I can say that most of the employers in UAE are not giving their maids their salary. Based on my experience, I would recommend that the government set rules that only qualified employers can sponsor a maid and there should be a cash bond in the bank in the name of the maid so that if an employer does not give her salary, this money could be paid to the maid.
M. L. P.
Ajman,UAE

I'm so glad, if the UAE authorities will implement, the rights and privileges for the domestic helpers. They are also human beings who need protection from the abusers.
Evelyn M. Barrientos
Abu Dhabi,UAE