Police warn against 'blind trust' of housemaids as crimes show rise

Dubai: Police have warned the public of criminal practices committed by some domestic helpers based on police and hospital records.

They have also warned of the immorality of some domestic helpers, involving the sexual molestation of minors, or teaching them odd religious practices. A senior police official from Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), warned the public against blindly trusting housemaids, urging mothers to personally take care of their children.

A statement issued by the police said crimes committed by domestic helpers are rapidly increasing.

"Employing housemaids who are not on your sponsorship opens the door for crimes to be committed and puts your family members at risk," the official said.

A few years ago, a four-year-old girl was killed in Ras Al Khaimah by the family's housemaid after she stabbed her several times with a pair of scissors in different parts of her body. Police said the incident took place in a remote area when the victim's pregnant mother went for a medical check-up leaving her children with the housemaid.

When the mother returned, she found the housemaid looking for the victim in nearby areas. The family informed police and after several hours, police found the girl in a box bleeding in a villa under construction. She was alive, but was bleeding severely and died.

The housemaid later confessed that she killed the child because she was nagging all the time.

Police had said that this crime was one of the worst crimes committed.

In another incident, a 39-year-old housemaid in Sharjah had sexual relationships with her sponsor's 14-year-old son. She became pregnant and the case was referred to court.

In Ajman, a housemaid was arrested after she was caught mixing baby milk with urine.

Last year in Dubai, a family was shocked when their housemaid gave birth to a baby at their house after having an illicit relationship.

A working mother said her three children started to learn of odd religious practices through her housemaid, such as cannibalism.

Breaking law

Penalties

Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Merri, Director-General of Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD), urged the public to abide by the law and not employ anyone not on their sponsorship. Otherwise, both parties will face stiff penalties, which ranges up to Dh50,000 and in some case even jail terms.

What do you think is the role of a housekeeper in a family? Do you feel that sometimes the line is crossed because families fail to establish proper rules? How do you think a more balanced relationship can be established between an employer and housestaff? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

Though GULFNEWS has highlighted some very gruesome incidents, the most common practise prevailing among housemaids are theft. Almost all of them steal. Housemaids not under our sponsorship, certainly steal. They are not interested in the few hundred dirhams salary. They are eyeing for the big fish. They first target the Jewels, Gold, diamond and precious stones. Its easy to steal, hide and transport outside the home.
Eddy
Luanda,Angola
Posted: July 21, 2008, 11:57

I used to leave my few-months-old-baby and go for work, one day I returned from work to find the little one alone at home while the maid had escaped with jewellery and some cash. Well, that carelessness taught me the valuable lesson- never to depend on a stranger. So, ever since, however I have to juggle with life, I try to do all the chores my self, definitely after making a time-table for specific chores on specific days.
Agniyah
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2008, 10:49

I think it?s more on the employer to treat their maids as part of the family. If you start to intimidate your housemaid, they react and avenge there situation. No wonder why sometimes they go for the worse scenario, employer sometimes intend to delay the salary, no day off, long hours of work, living in poor condition and most of all verbal humiliation. We can?t blame them. They should learn that these people are human and deserve to be treated fairly. I believe If you love your housemaids and take care of them, am sure your dinner will be tasty and clean.
Ben
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2008, 10:04

In my opinion, the mother should take care of her own children, this is not the job of the maid. child abuse is very common, because mothers dont want to raise there children properly.
fatima
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2008, 10:04

How can we take care of our kids when we are half the time at work? In the earlier days working hours were from 8 to 2 now days the working hours are until 4,5,6 etc.. With the traffic we get home 2 hours later and we are tired. If working hours are changed to the way it was earlier then yes we don?t even need maids at all.
fatma
Dubai,U.A.E
Posted: July 21, 2008, 09:52

I think no one can draft a future of children as a mother can do. So the role of housekeeper should be minimized to cleaning, sweeping and cooking. They should not have too much interaction with children
Khalid
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2008, 09:45

We cannot blame the housemaid. Sometimes they take revenge against their employer because most employers are abusive. We cannot imagine how the employers treat housemaids. Housemaids are treated in an inhuman way by the employer. Basing my arguments on all the runaways housemaids in Philippine Embassy (OWWA).
Dina
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 21, 2008, 09:44