Hardships- Another name for life

Today Dubai has become a home for millions. People of several casts, being multi linguists themselves reside in the city. The city thus has become an aspiration for millions to leave their home towns in search of their own discrete identity. Among this large score, a massive population consists of people from the Philippines. A large percentage of them come here on a visit visa looking out for appropriate jobs and once they get through a job, they are confirmed by the employer’s who hand them their employment visa. I came across quite a few of them which made me realize that living life for them is more of a compulsion for their survival as well as their families. If you go to see, on an average most of them are engaged in domestic help, thus making their life quite miserable.

Mario, bell boy
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Mario, a bell boy at the Capital Residence hotel, says “I worked as a car rental mechanic back in Philippines and it’s been two years since I have moved to Dubai. I do not like my job here because I do not see a better future for myself in here, he says. My salary is too less to earn a living and I surely did expect to get something better than this. Slightly emotional he says, I can’t wait to get back to the Philippines.

Khey, cashier
Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Khey, a cashier at “nine city garments” shares a similar story like Mario. “My life in Dubai is not good; we have a handful of customers coming to our shop daily, due to which sales suffer, causing a problem for especially my salary. I have been in Dubai since three years, and had to leave my previous job as Iwas taken undue advantage of, she says. I am missing my familya lot and wish to get back to Philippines soon.

Day and night some of them work in desperate need for money, which they send across to their families back home so they lead a better life. This being one of the prime reasons for them doing jobs against their will also.

Theresa, Guest

service incharge

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

“I miss my family a lot when at work, especially my husband who is in Philippines. I do enjoy at times but the only reason I work here is that my family does not face any sort of difficulty”, says Theresa; Guest service center in charge at the Dar Al Sonds Apartment, Le Meredian.

Alvin, cashier at KFC

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

Alvin, a cashier at Southern Fried Chicken says, “I always wanted to be a manager, but working for seven years at the same post; I have become used to the fact. My brother is the only one here, so I don’t feel lonely. I just wish I could get back to Philippines as there is no place better than home.

Mary Ann, Housemaid

Photo credits: Mrudvi Bakshi

"Life is okay for me in Dubai”. Till now I have been treated and paid well at all the places I have worked, says Mary Ann; a housemaid. I stay at my madam’s place and wish it was home than servant quarters. I do get very tired and that arouses the feeling of helplessness at times.”

The urge to get back home is what was reflected while talking to them. Despite facing a lot of difficulties they carry a grin across their face not wanting to bring out their sorrows within. “If only life was so good, a bed of roses.”