The first-ever survey on domestic workers in Qatar, being launched by the Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking will cover 600 workers and an equal number of households as well as companies and recruiting agents. The survey aims at identifying the problems of domestic workers in the country and seek solutions. Another important objective of the study is to assess the impact of housemaids and other domestic workers on the family environment in the country, particularly the upbringing of children. The study, which is expected to be launched by the end of this month will cover all categories of domestic workers including housemaids, drivers, cooks, gardeners, among others. “This is the first study of its kind and the theoretical part has already been completed. We are now in the final stage of preparations for launching the field survey,” Dr Sadoun Rashid Abdul Latif, consultant expert, planning and development at the Foundation said in a press conference. He said the Foundation had decided to conduct the survey in view of the complaints about ill-treatment of domestic workers, particularly housemaids, as well as complaints from families regarding these workers. “We want to look into all these issues in an objective manner. We will take views from both sides - the workers as well as the families - that could help us reach the right conclusions. We will also approach companies, offices as well as recruiting agents to know their views about the issue,” added Sadoun. He said the Foundation already had meetings with officials from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour, Medical Commission, and other related bodies in the earlier phase of the survey. For the field survey, the Foundation has set up a team of experts, who will go to the households and interview domestic workers as well as family members. There will be specific questions regarding salary, off-days, health card etc in the questionnaire for workers. The survey team will make on-the-spot interviews with the targetted groups to ensure that they get accurate and genuine answers. The survey will focus on prominent residential locations like Old Airport, Medinat Khalifa, East Hilal, Markhiya, Dafna, Rayyan, Al Waab, Al Aziziya, Maideer and New Ghanim. The houses from each area will be selected randomly. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=April2009&file=Local_News200904085111.xml

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