Let me know if you have a better hashtag because we need to get this trending, given the numerous accounts of abuse and mistreatment of mostly young African women trying to make a living in the Middle East and elsewhere. While we should be concerned and even outraged at their unfortunate circumstances, we should also think about how we treat our own maids. The people who do our laundry, cook for us and basically raise our children. I’ve heard and seen ridiculous things people subject their maids to including not letting them spend a single night in the main house or stay over at all so you have these poor girls and in some cases boys coming over very early in the morning and leaving late at night after a day of endless chores and I can understand families that don’t have extra room for the maid but some employers are just selfish and would rather see the spare room empty than let them stay if they need to. They also can’t watch TV, use the cutlery or sit with the family at mealtimes. Pretty much like the movie “The Help” where the maids were expected to clean the toilets but not allowed to use them. And if they have children of their own, they can’t bring them to work or if they’re allowed to do so, they can’t play with the boss’ kids or share snacks. Sadly, that’s not the worst part. Most domestic workers come from poor backgrounds and so would have dropped out of school or don’t have any other skills. They’re poorly paid. No contracts or formal agreements. The employer will promise a certain amount when the maid first arrives but that is subject to change over the months or years she’s employed, usually downwards. If they complain, the boss will remind them of all the free food they enjoy. Others naively ask their bosses to save their salary say over a period of three or four months in the hopes of getting a substantial amount so as to clear their own kids’ school fees or help their parents in a village somewhere. Come collection time and the Lady of the House will either makeup excuses or remind the maid of all the expenses they incurred during that period. If they happen to have fallen sick or broke some plates and glasses while doing the dishes, trust that there will be deductions. They’re called names and treated like second-class citizens. Then there’s the sexual abuse. Most cases go unreported and hardly anyone looks out for these young girls. In fact, they’re labeled homewreckers and fired when the wife catches the husband doing the dirty. What we forget is that our lives are literally in their hands. They prepare our food and watch our kids. They could choose to exact some kind of revenge to settle some scores and who would blame them? Yes, they make mistakes but don’t we all?
