There is a commercial running on MBC for a televised shopping show that makes it all too clear why there is such a problem with domestic employees in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC countries. The commercial shows an Arab mother pointing a remote control at her two teen-aged daughters and pushing buttons that transform their clothes into new, sparkling creations. Beside the girls stands what appears to be a Filippina maid who is originally out of focus. Then the mother points the remote at the maid who finds herself, to her delight, suddenly wearing a bright orange T-shirt and new blue jeans. Most special, however, as the camera movement makes clear, is the shiny, brand-new vacuum cleaner she is now brandishing. To end the commercial, the mother, her daughters and the maid pose before the show's logo, all in focus except the lowly maid who continues to be out of focus so as not to draw the viewer's eyes to her. On one hand, it can be seen as a positive that the maid is included, at all, in or out of focus. In the end, perhaps, it displays a recognition of some commonality among these women of different classes, albeit based on the tired gender stereotype of all women being in love with shopping. On the other hand, the maid is thrilled with a T-shirt, jeans and a new vacuum while the daughters find themselves decked out in the finest of casual wear. There is a clear distinction being made. Filipinas, we are being told, are likely to be thrilled with a new vacuum cleaner. Arab girls want snazzy new clothes. With such stereotypes appearing on our TV screens, it's little wonder that a report that Saudi women are working as domestic helpers in Qatar has raised such a fuss. Domestic workers are regarded here as second-class citizens and people – mostly men, it would seem, given the authors of the newspaper pieces display such shock – find domestic work “beneath” Saudi women. When someone must feed themselves and their families, there is little consideration as to what is “beneath” them. There are three things in mind: hunger, work and remuneration. Before denunciations are penned by so-called opinion-makers from the press, perhaps someone should speak to the women involved in the work. Not only is that better journalism, it will also get us closer to the truth. __
