New World slavery

At the end of the 19^th century, the land discovered by Columbus, after a devastating civil war, decided that elaborated, highly organized slavery has to be abolished. In the last century, Human Rights has given a comprehensive methodology to rule the quality of human life.

In Middle East, in general, and in Qatar, in particular, different philosophy apply.

For those of you who didn´t know, Qatar is considered by many poor people the modern El Dorado. Some of the residents here are Europeans. Less, Americans or other nation. Most of the foreigners here are coming from poor regions in India, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and few other. The prospect of a better life here, opposed to the poverty in their home country, makes them flee here by any means.

And then, the fun starts.

Considering not all of them are PhD´s, MS or rocket engineers, and most of the ¨good¨ jobs available here are usually taken by Caucasians, what other perspective these people have, than low-level jobs? You will see most of the men working in kitchens, pubs, restaurants, cleaning, shops, and of course, physical work. The women, on the other hand, are selling themselves into a new form of slavery, which is voluntary, and it also has a job description, although nobody really gives a shit about it. They become maids/babysitters/cleaners.

This is a widespread phenomenon. The first house I lived in, had a small room in the backyard, which is now used as a storage area. Initially, it was designed to accommodate the maid. I understand most of the houses are designed this way.

This evening, I went with my girls to enjoy a relaxing Valentine´s dinner out. At the table next to us, a typical Qatari family came soon enough. The mother, her three young sons, and the maid. Of course, the masters used Arabic to speak to themselves, and English to order the kabayan what to do.

What really triggered my repulsion was the moment when one of the three monkey cubs counted the pieces of chicken wings the maid ate. He did it in English, so the woman could understand him, and loud enough to share this wonderful master-slave moment.

Nevertheless, she, the maid, was smiling and she looked happy.

Although this country is running only due to foreigners, we are looked like worthless merchandise by the vast majority of the natives...