DUBAI: The Ethiopian government announced this week that it would be barring all domestic workers from applying for jobs in the United Arab Emirates after it received numerous reports of illegal recruitment and abuse of workers in the wealthy Gulf country. The Ethiopian labor community has praised the move, saying it is needed until the UAE establish regulations and oversight of foreign workers in the country, who many argue face hardships, abuse and assault while in the country. The Ethiopian government said they have received repeated reports that there has been abuse of citizens rights by some employers in the UAE. Amare Abrha, a member of the Ethiopian community in Dubai, told 7DaysDubai.com that the move taken by the government was positive. “It is long overdue but, nevertheless, we hope it will reduce the suffering housemaids are subjected to, both mentally and physically. “Any agreement signed with the UAE should address the need to increase minimum wages and also shelter workers from abuse," Abrha argued. One woman, a domestic worker in Abu Dhabi for the past 7 years, told Bikyamasr.com that further discussions are needed to protect Ethiopians already living in the country. “I know at least two women who have been sexually assaulted, one of them raped, by their employer here, but there is nothing they can do because their bosses have their passports,” she told Bikyamasr.com, asking for anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the comments. For many domestic workers, life in the UAE can be positive and negative, but across the board, there seems to be consensus to develop an understanding and regulations for workers in the country.
