Domestic workers seldom get a pat on their back for their hard work and dedication.
Abu Dhabi - Not all housemaids get a rough deal. There are many who are treated with respect and dignity and cared for like a family member.
Published: Fri 2 Feb 2018, 8:44 PM
Last updated: Fri 2 Feb 2018, 11:20 PM
Thousands of women work as domestic helps in the UAE households. Predominantly from countries like the Philippines, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya and Somalia, these housemaids are in fact the support system for many expatriates as well as Emirati families.
Domestic workers seldom get a pat on their back for their hard work and dedication. In fact, what we often hear are stories of overworked, underpaid and abused housemaids who either suffer in silence or retaliate nastily. Some get adventurous and escape from their employers.
But not all housemaids get a rough deal. There are many who are treated with respect and dignity and cared for like a family member.
'I am the luckiest person on earth'
Khaleej Times spoke to housemaids who shared heartwarming stories of how their lives changed thanks to exceptionally generous and kind families they work for.
For instance, April Gatin, a 33-year Filipino maid, is the proud owner of a 2 million peso (approximately Dh142,500) house in her hometown, all thanks to her Irish employers in Dubai.
"They treat me like their elder daughter. I am the luckiest person on earth," Gatin told Khaleej Times.
"They also have given me a secure future by purchasing life and medical insurance coverage for me."
Gatin said her employers for 11 years, an Irish couple based in Dubai, gave her extra Dh6,000 every month on top of her salary that went into a housing fund.
"After a few years, I had enough money to buy a piece of land and construct a palatial house in Iloilo city in the Philippines. Even the furnishing costs were covered by my employers."
"They even supported me financially for the medical treatment of my father. I cannot ask for more in life."
'I will soon own a house'
Similar is the story of Dina Tenerife Celo, a 45-year old single mother from Philippines who works for an Emirati employer in Abu Dhabi. Celo's employer Melissa McPike, an American who acquired Emirati citizenship after marrying a UAE national, has gifted her Dh23,000 (around 320,000 Pesos) to purchase a plot ?in Camarines Sur, the Philippines.
McPike is also financing the construction of the two-bedroom house.
"I don't have a penny as savings even after working in the UAE for two decades. Now, my dream is coming true, thanks to my madam. I feel lucky and blessed," Celo told Khaleej Times.
Currently, she is in the Philippines with her employer's son, Saeed Al Muhairi, 26, who is helping her purchase construction materials and designs the house.
"We do not consider her as an employee. She is one of our family. She has done so much for me and my children when they were young. I wanted to give back something to her," said McPike, a government employee who is now divorced.
McPike said often it is upsetting to read horror stories about housemaids being mistreated. "I would like to say that stereotypes are not true. There are so many families that treat their domestic help with respect and love. And they deserve it."
Celo came to work for McPike's family in Khalifa City in 1998 and after a year took up other jobs till 2014.
Later when she was looking for a job again, McPike was more than happy to take her in. "I have had many other housemaids. But none were like Celo. She is trustworthy to the point that I even leave my debit card with her. She is hardworking and worked for us as though she belonged here. Even my children adore her and call her Aunty."
'My sons go to school thanks to my employers'
Sri Lankan housemaid Surabi, 41, had a rough start in the UAE when she landed in Al Ain nine years ago. She had to work long hours and was not paid every month.
But all that changed as soon she found a job with an Indian family in Dubai in 2014.
"I am lucky to have found this family. They treat me well and even fund my children's schooling," said Surabi.
Divorced with two sons, aged nine and 11, Surabhi had to leave her family behind and come to the UAE to make a living.
"My kids were looked after by my uncle. But he met with an accident and later lost his job. They could not send my kids to school as I was not earning enough.
"But when my employers came to know about this, they offered to help. My children will have a future now thanks to my employers," said Surabhi.
A surprise visit to the maid's house
Elizabeth Elizarde, 48, a Dubai-based overseas Filipina had the biggest surprise of her life when her employer's family joined her in Manila for a family vacation.
Elizarde was working for a couple named Jamie and Brenda in Dubai since 2013 as a caretaker for their two daughters.
She said in 2015, her employer flew down to Manila and spend a memorable family holiday along with her five children.
"The day when they arrived, they took me and my kids out for lunch and we went to an expensive restaurant where my kids were shocked because a single hamburger costs 750 peso. They didn't let me spend a single penny," Elizarde said.
"I felt overjoyed not only because I got to see my children happy, but also because of the friendship and trust that the family has given me. I was never treated indifferently, rather they always make me feel that I have a place in their home and life," she said.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
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