DOHA: Demand for part-time maids has increased among Qatari and non-Qatari families during Ramadan.
Families usually hire maids on hourly basis during the holy month compared with regular days because of hectic house work, especially cooking for guests for Iftar parties, reports Arabic daily Al Raya.
With increasing demand, manpower agencies which supply maids, too, have increased hourly fees for part-time maids, according to many families.
Hiring a maid per hour for work during Ramadan could cost between QR40 and QR70 compared with about QR25 on normal days.
However, many families prefer part-time maids and claim that it’s convenient for them compared with keeping a full-time maid at home.
Azza Mustafah, an Arab working woman, said, “I hire two maids for five hours from a manpower agency on days we host guests for Iftar banquet and pay QR150 each
“In a way, it’s easy to hire part- time maids because there are many requirements to be met for hiring a full-time maid.”
Some families pay as much as QR4,000 for part-time maids to help them in work.
Nauf Al Doosari, a working Qatari woman, said she has been waiting for five months to get a permanent maid.
“I have been trying to get a maid for five months. So in Ramadan, I’m forced to hire part- time maids which costs around QR4,000 per month,” she said.
Hassa Al Ansari, another working Qatari woman, said, “During Ramadan permanent maids at home alone can’t manage work. Sometimes they complain and refuse to do more work, so the option is to hire part-time domestic helps.”
Some complain that manpower agencies exploit demand for part- time maids during Ramadan and raise fees.
Muna Al Jabor said, “Maids are necessary during Ramadan to have an extra hand for work because we host many guests.
“But manpower companies cash in on the situation. On normal days they charge QR25 per hour per maid, and QR45 during Ramadan. It’s too costly for families, but we have no alternative.”
Some others say hiring part- time maids is hassel-free, although they have to give a huge fee.
Abir Mohamed said, “Recruiting regular maids is not easy, there are lots of requirements to fulfil, especially we have to give them a separate room to stay.
“So hiring a part-time maid is the best option we have, mainly during Ramadan, when there is more house work is to be done.
The Peninsula
