Dubai: Diplomatic missions and groups have welcomed the new Dubai Police initiative to honour maids who display exemplary behaviour, saying it will boost morale and set a good example for others.
Dubai Police on Tuesday began accepting nominations from families who would like their maids to be honoured for their conduct. The initiative is part of the police campaign ‘Domestic Helpers, Care and Accusations’ that aims to reduce the crimes committed by domestic workers in the emirate.
“We welcome this idea as it encourages housemaids to work hard and also sets a good example for other maids to emulate,” Ethiopian Consul-General to the UAE Mesganu Arga Moach told Gulf News.
“It’s a good initiative that will help motivate our household service workers, many of whom are well-placed and have been serving some sponsors for a long time, some for at least 20 years,” Philippine Consul-General to the UAE Frank Cimafranca told Gulf News.
The initiative works both ways, benefitting both maids and sponsors, the diplomats said. They said that employers who treat their maids well should be recognised as well.
“Good behaviour is reciprocal. Housemaids will be nice to their employers if they respect their maids and treat them as human beings. So if we always talk about bad sponsors, we should also highlight and recognise exemplary employers as well,” Moach said.
Migrante, a migrant rights advocacy group in the UAE that helps maids in need, agreed.
“This initiative is a good start and a good morale booster for the maids. But it would be better if employers are recognised as well to encourage good relations between the two parties,” Nhel Morona, country coordinator for Migrante Middle East-UAE, told Gulf News.
Shoukat Ali from Al Sanabil Manpower that supplies maids to households in the UAE said the initiative will raise awareness on the importance of treating maids properly which leads to them providing a good service to the family.
Families who want to nominate their maids may contact Dubai Police at morle1@dubaipolice.gov.ae or fax 04 2171466. They may also call the toll free number 800 243.
