False Employment

Author: Hadija Copyright © 2008
Location: Kuwait

What is a maid or a nanny? What are their job requirements? They are individuals hired to perform certain duties, such as, house cleaning, washing and ironing, cooking, vacuuming, and child care. Each one is hired for a certain job. Well, that is the way it should be!

Do you know that many of these maids and nannies are brought to Kuwait on false pretenses? They are told that they will be working in hospitals, restaurants, salons, schools and other places, but when they arrive to Kuwait, they are employed as nannies or house maids.

They are not qualified for these jobs. They, usually, lack experience and many have never operated a washer, dryer, microwave, gas stove, iron, or any electrical appliance, or cared for children. Yet, they are forced to learn these tasks in a very short time. This is very stressful for a person who has little or no experience in this field of work, and one who has no interest in doing this type of job.

Whenever I read an article about a maid harming a child or children, harming herself, or being harmed by her employer, I ask myself who is at fault. Does the blame fall on the employer, the maids, or the governments of each country? I have spoken to many maids and nannies over the years, and found that a great number of them have so many regrets. They feel ashamed of their government, and they feel abandoned. Some feel that they have to make many mistakes, so that the employer will send them back to the labor office, and others are so stressed out that they usually take more drastic measures.

Does this sound wrong to you? Should people have to live like this? These women have rights. They have families waiting for them in their country. They have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, and children who depend on them. They come here to earn a little money to send to their families so that their children can get an education. They send money home to take care of their fathers and mothers.

In Islam, we should be kind, generous, and treat people the way we would like to be treated. If an individual is hired for a certain job, and brought to Kuwait to work, they should work in the field in which they are trained. And, we should keep in mind that these individuals are human, too. Regardless of the work they are hired to do, they need rest, food and plenty of sleep so that they can perform their jobs well. They need training before coming to this country to be employed as a maid or nanny. Their rights should be secured, before they leave their country. And, if they are hired to work in a hospital, school, or restaurant, then, that is what they should be doing, as long as they have the qualifications.

Take a moment and think about this: What if your child or other family members had to work in another country? How would you want the people in that country to treat them? It’s been said, “What goes around, comes around.” So, think about it! Are you being fair to your employees?

Treat others the way you would like to be treated. May Allah show us guidance each and everyday.