Thanks Sandydog, it has been incredibly stressful for us, but I am glad we chose this path. I will never, ever sponsor a maid in the UAE again... ever...
Fairycakemum, I just went through this thread and read your posts.. I am saddened that this has happened to you also but please do not tell immigration that she worked elsewhere. They will know this, I have no doubt, but they will allow you to deny it in order to save yourself legal repercussions. Simply say that she absconded and you do not know why. Also, you should consider hiring a maid from an agency for around 2,200aed per month. You will have no legal responsibility for them and if you wish, you can 'top up' their salary as you see fit. I hope this helps and wish you the best.
I have been an expat in the GCC for over ten years, the UAE for 6 of them.
This is not my first post. I post occasionally but have created this id as the other person that I refer to in this post may be a member here too.
My family has lived quietly and respectful of the ways of the middle east.
Almost a year ago, my maid was discovered working part-time for another expat in our compound. Fortunately my husband was able to reduce the fine from 100,000AED to 50,000.
This did not spare him from court and a humiliating experience with the police. My children (who are older now) fully understand why our maid was in jail and it has affected them too.
My husbands crime: legally sponsoring a maid, providing food, accommodation and two days off per week. She, in turn, worked part-time for many other people. Our maid had been informed that she was to work for us only, no part-time or other work. We trusted her with our children, our home. She had worked hard for us and we rewarded her well for over 4 years.
My husband has spent countless hours dealing with the repercussions of her actions. I will not go into the repercussions for the other party found with her. Frankly, I don’t care.
What I can tell you is that after almost a year in the legal system, my husband has successfully sued the other family for the AED50,000. Our case is lodged and should the other party attempt to pass immigration, they will be arrested.
I write this because if this happens to you, it may take a while but you can recover at least some of your money that was lost in fines wrongly attributed to you.
(we had just renewed her so lost that money too)
Do not hire illegal maids, it is selfish and unbelievable stressful to good and honest people who sponsor legally.
update: the family in question made no attempt to repay. They attempted to leave the UAE. Husband was detained. We now have the money in our account.
Thank you all for your kind words. I am relieved to hear that at least one poster will stop doing this and hope that they never see the ugly legal side of this affair.
Simply put, a maid can only do domestic work for her sponsor. Sponsor them or use an agency.
As for me, I will never, ever sponsor another maid in the UAE again.
