South and southeast Asian boarding housemaids, maids who dwell in the house of the family they work for, in Arab homes are subject to terrible working conditions.  This practice first started in the oil rich countries in the Gulf, then spread to other parts of the Middle East, like Jordan. These housemaids are primarily from Sri Lanka, India, or the Philippines.

But in recent years, Jordan, like the Gulf countries, increased its demand for Indonesian housemaids. Today there are 70,000 housemaids in Jordan (30,000 Indonesian, 25,000 Sri Lankan, and 15,000 Filipina), brought into the country by 95 different housemaid agencies (I call them slave traders–will explain below). As far as we know, this shift to Indonesians happened, despite the higher costs, after the spread of urban myths that Filipina housemaids, mostly Christian, were unclean because, among many reasons, they ate pork and came from disease-infested areas — you can find tons of racist stories on the web regarding this.

Most Indonesian, and some Malaysian, housemaids, on the other hand, are Muslim, which means they don’t eat pork and they would fast during Ramadan, along with the Muslim family. They are, thus, more trustworthy in their cooking and cleanliness, even if that difference was only psychological. Plus, a Muslim family may feel that they would be doing a religious service by selecting a Muslim housemaid, on the false basis that a poor Muslim gets priority over a poor non-Muslim.

Nevertheless, it was during the era of the Filipina housemaids that the word Filipina became synonymous to “housemaid.” So a question like “do you have a Filipina?” is equivalent to asking “do you have a boarding housemaid?” regardless of where she was actually from. The only difference between a Filipina and a slave is the meager 100 JD ($130) the Filipina’s paid every month. Everything else, in terms of treatment, is similar to the conditions of what Malcolm X described as the “house negro.” Once again, the web is filled with stories and confessions regarding extreme violence (verbal, physical, and sexual abuse) which takes place against these young southeast Asian girls who come from the most poverty-struck homes.

You hear many Jordanians defend their having a Filipina at their homes by saying: “we treat her like she’s a member of our family,” or “she is even allowed to eat with us!” And it’s true! It is possible to have a good relationship with the Filipina, just like it is possible for a prison guard to become best friends with a prisoner, but that friendship doesn’t alter the facts. There are no working hours for the Filipina (she is on duty 24/7).

Families sometimes brag about how they give their Filipinas plenty of free time, even designate a weekday off (as though it was a favor)! But in reality, during her free time, she’s still “on call.”

These domestic guest workers have their passports taken away from them upon arrival to Jordan, as in most Arab countries, and either kept in the agent’s (slave trader’s) office or with the master at home. This means that she is not allowed to quit her job if she chooses to. And if she ran away — an increasing phenomenon according to Jordanian newspapers — an arrest warrant is issued by the police station, as though she broke the law by refusing to work. Reports show that over 1000 housemaids have been deported from Jordan for violating house or work laws. Referring accurately to them as “slaves” is the least justice one can do towards them.

A Filipina’s job description includes cleaning, everything there is to clean: carpets, floors, furniture, bathrooms, kitchen, dishes, laundry; baby-sitting; and cooking. A common repulsive sight in Amman today is the SUV driving down the road in affluent west-Amman neighborhoods with a middle-aged, fair-skinned, dyed-haired, manicured Arab mother at the driver’s seat with sun glasses on, and the little kids sitting at the back with the housemaid, who functions as a nanny when outdoors.

Another repulsive scene is that of Filipinas sitting with the kids of Arab couples at a picnic sight, attending to their needs, like feeding them or watching them play. The kids yell out commands at the Filipina, just like their parents do. And when meals are served at home or outdoors, the Filipina eats the leftovers, after the masters are done with their food.

As with this conversation I overheard, in Arabic, from two Jordanian women at a barbecue picnic, providing leftovers for the help is another means of control:

Woman #1: “What are you doing?”
Woman #2: “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making the Filipina a sandwich!”
Woman #1: “You’re putting meat in there? Are you nuts?”
Woman #2: “We’re all done eating and this will be thrown away, so why not?”
Woman #1: “You’re really naive. If you get her used to eating meat, she will expect to have it the next time! You don’t want to spoil her or she’ll take advantage of you!”
Woman #2: “I guess you’re right,” (taking out the meat), “she will be alright with bread and some hummus.”

Related posts:

1. Philippine Government Finally Stands Up!
2. Guest Post: Aron Kader Live From Amman
3. Strategic Media Usage: Saudi Women 1, Jordan Times 0
4. Filipina Workers in Jordan Update
5. So sayith the Lion