More sponsors have expressed their disappointment over the comments made by Kuwaiti Instagram star Sondos al-Qattan against Filipino domestic workers and are now considering severing ties with her.
American haircare brand Phyto deemed Al-Qattan’s remarks as “unacceptable” and said that the brand “condemn[s] the remarks as they go against the human values defended by the group.”
In a reply on Instagram, Phyto stated that it does not endorse Al-Qattan’s remarks and that they have asked their distributors in Kuwait to “end its relationship” with the Kuwaiti blogger if she will not withdraw her remarks.
“Obviously, we categorically condemn these remarks because they go against the human values defended by our group, its history and its founder,” the comment read.
“This person speaks on her own behalf and we do not in any way want to endorse her remarks by allowing her name and image to be linked with our brands. Consequently, we asked our distributor in Kuwait to end his relationship with Ms. Sondos Al Qattan if she does not withdraw her remarks,” it added.
Another Japanese brand, Shiseido, also expressed their disappointment over al-Qattan’s comments.
“Shiseido does not support or align with the recent statements made by Sondos Al Qattan,” Shiseido officials told The National.
Meanwhile, Max Factor Arabia has also ended their relationship with the blogger as her comments “are personal and do not represent either the values or the principles” of their brand.
“Max Factor Arabia was shocked by the comments made by the influencer Sondos Al Qattan. Sondos’ comments are personal and do not represent either the values or the principles that Max Factor Arabia stands for. Max Factor stands for women’s empowerment and supporting every woman to express her individuality, irrespective of ethnicity and occupation. Max Factor Arabia is taking this incident very seriously and have immediately suspended all collaborations with Sondos,” the brand’s officials told The National.
Earlier, two brands have announced that they are ending their relationship with Al-Qattan for her comments questioning the new law protecting the rights of OFWs in Kuwait.
London-based Chelsea Beautique and French perfume brand M. Micallef have cut their ties with the Kuwaiti blogger.
On Twitter, Chelsea Beautique’s message reads: “We’ve decided to remove the video sponsored by Sondos on our channels. We believe that decent working conditions should be provided to everyone and such behavior does not represent our brand’s core beliefs.”
Despite this, in an interview with AFP, Al-Qattan said she is not sorry for her remark. She said her statement was not an “insult to the employees” and that many other employers share the same sentiment as hers.
The Kuwaiti blogger added that her statements “do not concern humanity or human rights because I did not deprive the employee of her salary or beat her”.
