By the very language she used to justify her remarks against giving Filipina maids the right to a day off and the right to retain possession of their own passports, #SondosAlqattan shows that she views domestic workers as Mulk Yameen. Again, this is the prevailing attitude in the Gulf countries. Even where they have enacted laws to give domestic workers these minimum rights, they are not enforced, and the workers have little or no recourse.
It is utter hypocrisy to see bloggers from the Gulf condemn her remarks; this is the standard view.
And Ukhti Sondos, if you are so worried about them running away, you might want to think about why on earth they would be tempted to do that. Maybe if you don’t treat them like slaves, like subhuman, and give them rights, they won’t want to run away. If a maid runs away in the Gulf countries, she will be charged with absconding, she will not be able to leave the country legally because she will not have her passport, she will not be able to work legally, and will be in an even more vulnerable position, and if she ever gets checked by the police, she will be arrested. Who would CHOOSE that over a stable job and legal status?
And if you think all of these domestic workers are of such low moral stature, why do you want them in your home to begin with? Why trust them to look after your children? If they have bad character, you should hope they run away. They can do far more damage inside your home than outside it.
These people live in such a bubble of luxury and privilege it is mind boggling. Here she is complaining about having to cope without a maid for one freakin’ day a week, while the idea of having a maid come to your house to help out for even just one day a week is beyond what most people could imagine, much less afford.
Now she is apparently trying to play the Islamaphobia card, claiming that she is being condemned because she is a Muslim, not because her views are repugnant. No, Ukhti, it’s not the hijab, it is you, it is that you think botox is a more important topic than basic workers’ rights.
And now let’s all say a prayer that the Gulf runs out of oil in our lifetimes!