Saturday, Jun 28, 2008
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: For the fortunate, the UAE is a land of dreams come true. Others are still waiting for the day when they can live a different reality.
More than a year after the Philippine government set a minimum salary of $400 (Dh1,470), many are still not earning that.
"I can find a job earning 1,000 [dirhams] in the Philippines, why do I stay here?" one housemaid said. "I will just finish my contract because I have a conscience."
She has children in the Philippines whom she has not seen for more than a year. She knows others in worse situations, so she sees her glass as half-full. "I'm still lucky," she repeated. "I'm still lucky."
Not only do many maids earn less than the minimum salary, they do not receive the benefits indicated in their contracts.
"They promised to pay for my expenses, but nothing," another maid said. "I even buy my own water," despite the fact that her contract provides for food and drink in addition to her salary.
Because housemaids typically work for low wages, they are vulnerable to exploitation.
"The semi-skilled, unskilled workers are the main problem we are facing now," Nasser Munder, Labour Attache at the Philippine Embassy, said. "They don't have bargaining power to negotiate."
There are two main avenues for maids to travel to the UAE. Deployment agencies in the Philippines sign a contract with them prior to coming to the UAE.
Even if the contract observes the minimum salary, maids are sometimes asked to sign a second contract when they arrive, for a lesser salary. "Never sign another contract," Munder said. "They honour the latest contract."
Others enter the UAE on a visit visa in the hope that they can find an employer and switch to an employment visa.
"Not all sponsors are very good," another maid said. "We work hard. Sometimes they will give holidays, sometimes not."
According to Munder a committee has been created under the auspices of the International Organisation for Migration and the International Labour Organisation to study the situation. For now, Munder said workers should avoid signing a contract for substandard conditions.
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
