6 hours ago
Qatar’s human rights record is under scrutiny. While the World Cup in Doha continues. There have been numerous reports on the treatment of migrant workers who build stadiums and hotels. But foreign maids working for Qatar’s ruling class haven’t been written about much The BBC’s gender and identity reporter Megah Mohan joins the conversation with two maids, about working long hours without a day off away.
I caught up with Gladys (name changed) late at night after her elite Qatari employer had gone to bed.
In a short online chat, she told me that she works between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm every day, and she cleans. Help prepare meals and look after the children.
She had to eat leftovers from the family meals she served. And she said she hasn’t had a day off since she started working 18 months ago.
“My mistress is crazy,” said Gladys, a 40-year-old Filipina maid, of her employer. “She yelled at me every day.”
Before Qatar won the tournament to host the 2020 World Cup, foreign workers could not change jobs or leave the country without their employers’ permission. This rule is still in force today in most of the Arab Gulf states.
under scrutiny Qatar begins to introduce reforms. But it doesn’t always apply in practice.
For example, Gladys’ employer has confiscated her passport. If she asks for a refund from her employer to leave the country She wasn’t sure if she would get her passport back.
But Gladys still felt lucky. She said at least she gets to keep her cell phone. Unlike other foreign maids, her employer did not physically assault her. He explained that attacks on virgins in Qatar are too frequent.
There was another reason she wanted to work longer with her current employer. Because she thought that with her relatively advanced age It was unlikely that she would get a better job. She earns 1,500 Qatari Syrians a month (about 13,800 baht) and can send all the money back home to support her family.
the rights of domestic workers
- There are approximately 160,000 domestic workers in Qatar, according to 2021 data from the Qatar Planning and Statistics Agency.
- In 2017, Qatar introduced laws for domestic workers. Working hours are theoretically limited to no more than 10 hours per day. and set a break during the day There is one day off per week and paid holidays.
- In 2020, the law also introduces a minimum wage. and giving workers the right to change jobs or leave the country without permission
- However, Amnesty International says these laws are not always followed. and overwork lack of rest and the insulting and degrading treatment of workers continues.
Joanna Concepcion of Migrante International, a grassroots organization that supports overseas Filipino workers, said many are silent about poor working conditions. Because earning money for the family is the first priority.
But when those in the Gulf states feel confident enough to speak freely, They often speak of serious harassment. said one woman Her employer would press her head down the toilet and not give her food and water when he was angry.
Althea (pseudonym) has a very different picture of her life as a maid in Qatar. Working for the Al Thani royal family, he contacted the BBC via video call from the basement of the royal residence.
She smiles brightly and looks lively. She explains that they donate iPhones, clothes, accessories. And the shoes itself does not have the strength to buy them while still working in the Philippines.
as in the case of Gladys The difficulty of working to earn a living in her home town led her to come here.
while we were talking Other Filipino domestic servants sat in a large living room within Althea’s compound. Say hello and join the conversation.
They have their own bedroom and their own kitchen. This is important. The girl Althea saw on TikTok and Facebook. Posts asking for food and begging someone to help them were not so lucky.
“I watch those videos online all the time. And that’s why I feel so lucky,” he said. “For me, it feels like being in a fairy tale every day.”
However, working in a place where he said it was “Cinderella’s Palace” with high ceilings decorated with antique chandeliers covered with gold marquetry table and fresh cut flowers It is hard work.
A typical working day starts at 6:30 am when employees prepare breakfast for the family. Althea can start eating once the royal family has finished eating. After cleaning the dining table They clean the room and get the place ready for dinner.
“It was a light job because there were a lot of us,” said Althea.
The maids would rest in their own floors between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm, then prepare dinner. When dinner is over Althea’s work is done. and he can leave the area free if he wants
The royal family she worked for did not confiscate her passport. But Althea works every day including weekends. He did not get the leave according to Qatar law as it should have been. unless the employee chooses to resign That is the price she had to pay to get significant financial support for her family.
Mary Grace Morales, a Manila-based broker who matches Philippine officials with VIPs in the Arabian Gulf. He said working for the palace was an “enough” job.
“They have a lot of privileges. The family is open-minded,” she said, adding that she made comments that reflected the hardships maids might face at home. This family looks after them very well.”
Mary Grace Morales says that maids working in Qatar must be active and beautiful.
But the royal family has certain requirements, he revealed.
“The women who are sent to work for the royal family of Qatar are between 24 and 35 years old and very beautiful,” said Morales.
She paused to look at the screen until I stared at her from BBC headquarters in London.
“Prettier than you,” she said and smiled.
Later, she sent me a message to apologize, as her children heard and said she was disrespectful. But I assured her I wasn’t hit. And let’s not talk about hiring people based on their appearance. Because it would be illegal in many countries.
“They have to stay young because the Qatari royal family needs very active and healthy individuals who can cope with the chaotic environment of the palace.
“And candidates must be beautiful, very beautiful,” he emphasized.
Joanna Concepcion of Migrante International said she hoped Althea’s story of working as a royal maid to be true, but added, “It’s unlikely we’ll ever know for sure. while she’s still in Qatar and working for such a powerful family.”
Some royal officials have complained after leaving the country. personal trainer Sheikh Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and her Husband Claim they were forced to work long hours without overtime. The family denied the allegations and claimed diplomatic immunity when the documents were used to testify in court in New York.
“Reporting and dealing with cases of violence and harassment Lack of occupational health and safety And lack of suitable accommodation can be a challenge,” said Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States.
The ILO said it was working with Qatar to enforce new rules guaranteeing a minimum wage. one day off each week, sick leave, and overtime Although this is still a “challenge”
Althea, who works in the palace for the royal family, says she is happy even after working long hours.
when she goes to bed She will send messages to her siblings or parents in the Philippines. She always felt homesick. Because the fairy palace is not her home.
However, it is still an important source of income.
“I couldn’t provide for my family without this job,” he said.
The BBC has asked the Qatari Royal Family and the Qatari Embassy in London for comment. but he got no answer
