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Dubai, a city long dependent on imported domestic help, faces a new challenge. Major sources of maids, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Ethiopia, have temporarily stopped sending workers due to concerns over protection and pay. With fewer nationalities available for domestic work, is it time for Dubai to adjust to life without foreign house help?
A Deep-Rooted Dependency
Dr. Rima Sabban, a sociology professor at Zayed University, believes it’s necessary for the UAE to transition towards a society less reliant on maids. She has studied this dependence for over 20 years, noting that everything in the UAE, from households to social functions, relies heavily on domestic workers. Her research reveals that 93% of 600 surveyed Emirati families employ maids, with an average of three per household, up from 2.2 in the 1990s.
Historical Shifts and Modern Lifestyle
The UAE’s reliance on maids started with the oil boom in the late 1960s, which raised living standards and changed family structures from extended to nuclear units. Larger homes and more women entering the workforce further increased the need for domestic help. “A woman alone cannot manage a large house, care for children, work, and attend social events,” Dr. Rima explains.
Expatriate families also depend on domestic help, especially when both parents work. In their home countries, extended family or informal babysitters might assist, but this isn’t always possible in the UAE due to legal and financial constraints. A 2011 study found that 94% of surveyed Emirati families in Dubai have maids, while 90% of expatriate families use nurseries or part-time cleaners.
Moving Forward
Cleaning service demands in Dubai vary, with some families needing daily help and others less frequent assistance. However, economic pressures can force families to cut back on part-time help. “Without help, people must clean, cook, and do laundry themselves,” says Alia Al Ayoubi of Green Planet Cleaning Services, impacting family time and relaxation.
Dr. Rima stresses that domestic workers are deeply embedded in UAE society, and sudden removal isn’t feasible. A gradual transition, supported by accessible nurseries and learning from cultures like Japan, where children take on responsibilities early, could ease the shift.
While moving away from reliance on maids will be challenging for Dubai, careful planning and supportive policies can help families adjust and thrive in a new way of life.
