Gulf influencers criticize Kuwaiti vlogger Sondos Al Qattan who received social media backslash worldwide for her statement that Filipino domestic helpers do not deserve a day off.
In an interview with ITP Live, Bahraini Princess Her Royal Highness Sheikha Noora Al Khalifa called for equality. She said: “Let’s stand up for equality, justice, and human dignity. If I have a long week, I just want a one-day break end of the week to get my energy back. I think my personal helper at home needs to have a day off.”
Meanwhile, a UAE-based health and fitness influencer Enjy Kiwan said that while everyone is entitled to express their own opinion, she does not agree with Al Qattan. “I have help, and we are blessed in this part of the world to be able to have that and we owe so much to them, be it taking care of our children when we are at work, house duties, cooking and so much more,” the ITP Live report quoted Kiwan as saying.
She also sent a message to other employers to treat their nannies and maids like a family. “Where I come from they are part of our family and deserve so much more than counting the number of rest hours or days off,” she added.
Another UAE-based influencer, Tatad Al Rashed dared the Kuwaiti celebrity to empathize with domestic helpers. He said: “I suggest Sondos tries working full-time in the service industry, say in a restaurant, a hotel or even at her own house, for one year, but without taking a weekly day off. I’d be curious to know her opinion after such an experience, I’m sure it will be slightly different.”
Earlier this month, Khalid Al Ameri, a vlogger from Abu Dhabi, lambasted Sondos and expressed his gratitude to domestic workers.
“On behalf of my country, my family, I want to thank every single domestic worker in this part of the world for helping us and for being part of our families,” he said in a Facebook video.
Sondos refused to retract her statement, saying that her critics are a part of the foreign media campaign against Islam, Hijab and Kuwait.
A very stupid answer of SONDOS! Why did she involve the ISLAM and HIJAB? Its her own fault by her selfish heart and treat Filipino people more than an animal! Because of that, her family is affected! Most of the people thinking that this is the teaching of her parents!!!