Officials in the domestic helpers ’recruitment offices confirmed the emergence of a market on social media, which is represented in the promotion of advertisements for the abandonment of domestic workers in exchange for amounts determined by the declared families.
They attributed the emergence of the new market to the precautionary measures taken by the country in the wake of the spread of the new Corona virus (Covid-19), pointing to the decision to stop the visas and temporarily close the travel door.
They said that the difficult circumstances they faced as a result of the almost total cessation of their work during the pandemic period, encouraged families to post advertisements through social media programs to give up their servers, which made them a strong competitor to them.
On the other hand, citizens reported that they regretted what they considered "involvement" in bringing maids through social media, and stressed that their experience was "bad", indicating that they were surprised by the sharpness of the maid's character, or her neglect, and her refusal to perform the tasks assigned to her.
In detail, officials at the domestic helpers ’recruitment offices said that the period when it was difficult for the offices to bring in services due to the suspension of visas has seen the emergence of a new market to obtain this type of services, as families have announced their assignment of their maids’ services. Many of the ads included a live video of the maid (video clip), which included a review of its general specifications, or its features, such as the ability to speak Arabic, and mastery of cooking (with the mention of popular meals that can be mastered), in addition to mentioning its religion and age.
Citizens reported that, as a result of the difficulty in obtaining a domestic worker after the visas had stopped, they had to communicate with people who announced through social media their willingness to give up their workers.
They added that "the experience is bad", pointing out that they were surprised by workers who refuse to perform the tasks that are entrusted to them, or the often grumbling, or indifferent, while they cannot return them to the previous families.
Citizen Maha Mohamed Al-Yamahi said that the services of recruitment agencies for domestic workers have been stalled for months, which made them resort to social media ads and choose a maid from among the ads.
She said: “I have six children, and I need someone to help me with domestic work, especially after the decision to return employees to workplaces.”
She pointed out that she had to pay 20 thousand dirhams to one of the families in exchange for giving up the maid, while she was paying the recruitment office for domestic workers 15 thousand dirhams, adding that her acquisition of the maid took no more than a week, after she agreed to the terms of the housewife, the owner of the advertisement.
She added that she could not assess her experience with the new worker, because the conditions in which she got her were not normal.
Ali Talal Mohammed pointed out that he could not trust making the waiver, because of his lack of credibility and the lack of guarantee for the maid in it, explaining that "the period that is given to the family to try it is not enough." He stressed that he had an unhappy experience with the worker who had agreed to employ it, which prompted him to dispense quickly.
Citizen Omar Abdel-Rahman Al-Qaidi agreed with him, explaining that social media sites have become full of announcements of relinquishing of maids during the recent period, suggesting that there will be traders behind them trying to exploit the families ’need for maids after the visas have stopped, as a result of the state’s precautionary measures to limit the spread of the new Corona virus.
He added that some accounts were found on social networking sites, specifically the "Instagram" program, an easy platform to market their activities without supervision.
An official in a news account on social media programs stated that he receives requests to announce the assignment of servants from a large number of followers, but he refuses to publish them.
The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship had temporarily suspended the issuance of visas, starting March 17.
She explained that this comes within the framework of the preventive and precautionary measures taken by the state to confront the emerging corona virus (Covid-19).
She added that the decision to temporarily suspend visas aims to activate a mechanism for medical examination in the countries of departure, as an additional measure, given the preventive measures witnessed by the countries of the world in terms of confronting the emerging Corona virus, targeting the public interest of the countries, noting the danger that travel between countries represents.
The authority stressed that the decision stems from the spirit of responsibility that the UAE has, and within its efforts to combat the virus around the world, and in solidarity with the countries of the world to cross this crisis safely.
fast service
Citizens reported that the costs of bringing in the maid witnessed a noticeable increase in the recent period, especially for the Filipino and Indonesian nationalities, which are considered to be the most sought after in the market, while the cost of transferring the maid sponsorship ranged from 11 thousand to 22 thousand dirhams, depending on nationality.
They added: «On the other hand, the service of relinquishing the maid is distinguished by agreeing with the declared families in the speedy obtaining of the worker, as it does not take more than a few days, while the recruitment offices of domestic workers take several months pending the end of the period of the maid’s work (two years), and from Then he asked the family that she works with whether they want to renew their contract.
Some accounts found on social media an easy platform to market their activities without supervision.
Waiver service through agreement with families is quick to get a worker.