Issue - Y-oman.com

Dear Reader,There is an army at work each and every day here in Oman. They build our streets, clean our houses andremove our waste. Typically they come from India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan.They work for wages that most of us would baulk at, often saving money and religiously sending it hometo their families.With their low wage comes an attitude of separation; the paymaster stoops down to hand the meagresalary to the man or woman who laboriously slaves away their days, making life easier for some.Maid abuse is rampant in Oman. It is a disgusting violation of human rights and it is happening on aregular basis in every part of town. Having lived for many years in this beautiful country we have witnessedfirst hand the devastation inflicted on many maids, all too excepting of the abuse handed out to them alongwith their pitiable paychecks. There are stories of sexual abuse, starvation, beatings and persecution, andif you go to a busy shopping mall, you have undoubtedly overheard some residents barking viciously attheir maids.An Overseas Workforce Welfare Association exists here in Oman, and we met a few of their ‘long stayingguests’. More needs to be done. Much more. We all have rights, and if you don’t know what your rights areor face abuse in any shape or form, now you can find someone who can help you.Y Team.