Hot oil poured on maid
Maid Seble Rahel lies in a hospital bed in Dubai unable to utter a word.
The 26-year-old Ethiopian, who is a mother of four, was taken to Rashid Hospital’s intensive care unit a month ago after her employer’s wife poured hot cooking oil on her face and chest.
Abuse like Rahel’s is one of the reasons Ethiopian ConsuÂlar General in Dubai Mesganu Arga Moach says the Ethiopian government has banned its residents from coming to work in the UAE.
As he visited the wards yesterday to check on victims he told 7DAYS: “This is barbarism. We cannot sit and watch as our nationals continue to suffer at the hands of the people who are meant to protect them.
“These maids are human and they come here to earn a decent living to support their poor families. We have decided that this abuse must stop.”
Moach said the consulate receives an average of 13 complaints a day related to various forms of abuse of housemaids.
Complaints range from rape and physical abuse to non-payment of wages and lack of access to medical facilities.
Moach said the problem starts with dodgy recruitment companies that do not want to follow the laws set by the Ethiopian government that require them to give certified contracts to the workers.
The consulate is now in negotiations with the UAE on the terms of the agreement.
“It is a serious security issue for the UAE when you have thousands of housemaids on the run. But if people know that their rights are protected, their salaries are paid on time, they have medical insurance and can call their families when they want, why would they run away?” said Moach.
abdu.baasit@7days.ae
Comments
by Layla
Monday, August 06 2012, 12:12PM
“There are many women and men, that either rape or torture maids which come from very poor family.
This could be stopped by many ways.
The people who torture and abuse maids, should pay a huge amount of money.
and this Law could be applied on everyone.”
by Reema Albuquerque
Sunday, August 05 2012, 1:03PM
“what happened to the "evil oil pouring" so called "human" who did this?? isn't she going to be punished for her actions?? or is she going to continue pouring oil on whoever works for her next! PATHETIC excuse of a human being!”
by DIWATA
Sunday, August 05 2012, 9:25AM
“My God what kind of people are they? inhuman...”
by NewCrunch
Thursday, August 02 2012, 12:11PM
“and what happened to the savage criminal that did this act??”
by Alemtsehay
Thursday, August 02 2012, 12:02PM
“Its so sad I agree with Moach It is a serious there have to be some thing done before any Ethiopian flay to any country as worker”
by MRL
Thursday, August 02 2012, 11:10AM
“This is despicable! Pure Evil! This is not the first or the last story that we will hear about domestic workers being abused. I do hope that criminal charges are brought against the sponsor. The law pertains to all. This is an assault case and the sponsor should see some jail time,500 hours community service to understand her actions and denied the privilege to sponsor a worker for 2-3 years. Domestic workers come to help you run your household. You entrust them with your children, cooking and the run of your homes. You either treat them as employees or family members. If you helper is not working out, no need to abuse them, just terminate the contract and send them home or allow them to seek out other employment.Slavery is over! Why on earth would you want to treat anyone so in humane. The best amongst us is the one who shows no indifference towards any human-being. MRL”
by Divya Ned
Thursday, August 02 2012, 11:07AM
“This is horrible. Not the first time, not the second, but has happend a million times in the past and even as i type this.
No maid should ever attempt to work in the Middle East. Its either rape, abuse and no salary!
Never believe what they say, just find a job else where.
This is just too sad. I hope serious offence is taken against this "woman" who did this to Seble.
To be cursed by the public and a whole country is not enough!”