The Dull Faces in a Villagio called Doha

excellent.. Too often we are caught up in our own little world that we fail to notice what is "really" going on..

I too feel sorry for the maids. Too often they are treated as "outsiders"..

Very true lusitano.... I always observe this...
They lost the luster in their eyes..emotions in their face..just blank look...
probably they don’t have a reason to smile...maybe not even seen their family for ages...
How depressing it could be....
Yesterday I got a closer look of their faces when we distributed these beverages to these road side workers...
a small attempt to make them smile...

Maybe you're in a bad mood...that can explain. But in every country I visited (around 40...) I saw dull faces.Qatar is not an exception! And the contrast is coming when you'll see the same dull faces becoming happy faces in the salary day, when they send money at home.And also, I consider that they are not fitted for customer relation business if they have that dull face during work...not professional...
Lusitano, life is a b**ch but is short...so, enjoy it!

Very True !!

infact i had visited yesterday to villagio and i asked tat guy tat i will ride tat thing myself.

But tat chap told "NO SIR" :(

you have real life confused with the seven dwarfs who whistled while they work. I see people that earn $50 per hour with the same look, hard work or boring work is the same no matter where you work and we all don't get to choose what we do.

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and say the opposite

I'm also "a dull face" from time to time...and I have all the comfort I need here. I'm not ignoring those people, I'm trying to help (in a small scale) but that's all I can do! I think that I get used that's why I let the impression that I ignore them...If you really want to see dull faces, please come with me one day to visit Industrial Area...it really depress me... muito deprimido!

/-a-t-/ micu_ale: welcome to The Matrix!

Thanks Voldemort, you got exactly my point.
Yes it could have been better written, personally, I think you did it!

I notice it all the time... And sometimes for some reason I keep some of those faces on my mind. Their eyes and the sadness in them, the stories hiding beneath their gloomy smiles. I just wonder.

But the thing is, this is not the only place in the world where this is going on. It actually happens everywhere in the world. Believe me, there are immigrants everywhere in the world without their families. And I've seen those faces everywhere.

But you know, they are not all miserable, I've seen a lot of this people smiling and laughing. I think it also depends on the person's ability to find joy in small things, it is not all of them who have dull faces.

You know what is sadder?? Looking at all this faces walking around the souqs with nothing to do on a Friday afternoon, wandering the streets with no shades, no entertainment for them. That is the saddest part. I would admire Sheikah Moza 10 times more if she organized some entertainment for these guys, these poor guys who are by themselves in a harsh country.

At least to make nicer their only day off from hard work.

And what do YOU do about this? Do you smile at them, are you nice at them? Do you treat the shop attendant? Don't you think that it is also upon us to smile and brighten their lives, at least for a few minutes...

Yes, friends, we can make a little difference.

i try and overlook these dull faces...i know its kinda sad when u look at them....from the very little time i get apart from work....sometimes its even more miserable for me than them when it comes to work... i cant afford to look at them and make my day go dull also.

Aana free, jaana free,
Pakde gaye tho khana free.

If you observe carefully ,the cash counte girls at Lulu are also overworked , exhausted , underpaid and SAD most part of their work routine. They get Friday 1/2 day off and work 16-18 hours a day daily thru the week .

So what is the solution to all this ?

Johnpur,
That’s exactly it.
The only ones who can change things, is the government. The existent laws take into account the misery of the world, from where is always possible to get thousands and thousands of people to come here and work for peanuts no matter how harsh the working conditions are.

When Qatar will have the same sort of law and enforcement that any civilized country has, which protects all workers equally, with human dignity, then I will admire the way they spend the oil and gas money by contributing to the improvement of the world with fare reward to those who build their country!

Until then all I see in this, is hypocrisy ruling, taking advantage of the poverty in the world. As they well know that without this poverty, they wouldn’t get all these underpaid poor souls!
The development of Qatar is fed by the world’s misery!

All we can do is to help them as much as we can!

majnoon, if ricky reports it he as well might get into trouble himself....

no need to report it coz I think they already know that these things happen not only in lulu but to most of the companies here and still they are ignoring it.

for me reporting such practices is useless here, helping these poor fellows in a simple way as lusitano had said is much better solution.

truthfulvisitor,
The looks of those at Auschwitz then and the looks of those in Doha today, are sadly very similar.

if one rich helps only one poor wid honesty.....poverty wll be out from this world

Lustiano....

Survival of the fittest.

These Gondola drivers have this job for a reason, because they need it. If they would not need it, they would not do it.

Sympathy with the poorer in society is good, however one can put it into perspective. ALL made a choice of coming here in search for a better life, it is likely that an Indian labor that makes 750 to 1000 here, at home make 200 to 300 and has to clean the inside of oil-tankers, or has some odd job that could cost his life. Here, compared to many their lives are horrible, however we may never forget that he is now sending home 100% salary which he can support his family with.

Again, if there would be no need for them to be here they would not.

The last place I worked at we had a Tea Boy, he was on about 750 a month. He went back home after some time and bought himself a farm and then he could stay at home with his family. He didn't smile much here, but was happy when he was home on his own farm.

For sure the majority of people here, I'm talking about the local people, are kind and compassionate and have many good qualities. They are keen to give to charity, live in large families and show kindness to others and the elderly. I don't doubt any of their good points.

The truth is that there are several 'Qatars' existing simultaneously. Their world is very different to the world of the industrial area. What the former are not made aware of, or maybe they know but don't fully appreciate, is the depth to which the lowest slave class is exploited. This is something that readers on this website know well but it is easy to ignore when the most difficult task of your week is to stroll around Gucci and LV and pick out which four hangbags you are going to buy next.

For the latter, life means to be left out in temperatures that cats and dogs cannot even bear; feeling suicidal or taken to hospital with heatstroke; 'accidental' deaths and insanity kept out of the newspapers, covered up even by their own embassies and the media; sleeping in rotten portacabins with 9 other bodies; no union representation or power to improve their conditions.

Not things you or I would readily experience, or tolerate.

It is not due to the malevolence of any particular social class but only of greedy slavemasters who, having extracted their pound of Asian flesh, don't even want to pay the measly 500 riyals a month to their victims in return.

It is human trafficking and yes it happens in many places but THAT IS IRRELEVANT TO EVERYTHING - it happens here, and *HERE* is the place we are actually discussing.

For example, The fact that slavery existed in the USA does not provide any comfort to these poor victims. (Next time you see one of these poor buggers, drive up to him, roll down your window a bit and say "hey, it sucks, but what those evil imperalist European b*stards did in other countries was far worse!! Oh, and if you don't like it, leave!" You'll be sure to add some moral clarity to their wretched situation.)

Nor does the real estate price of a 2 bedroom house in India matter ONE BIT when discussing this, or arrogantly pretending that 'they' are 'used' to these kind of conditions because in 'their countries' that's how it is. Come to think of it, why aren't they kissing my feet with sheer gratitude?

It is, as a previous poster said, survival of the fittest. Either the contractor makes the profits or he pays his men more. Without the mechanism of unions, an aggressive and assertive media and other factors, he will get do it because he can get away with it. And why shouldn't he? He's backed up by thousands of educated morons spouting the awfully clever justification of how 300QR a month can provide five star comfort if you're living in a Bombay slum etc etc etc

We are all equally complicit in the state of these people. And none of us - not just the contractors - (and, truthfully, myself included) is willing to jeopardise one little iota of what we have to help. We are all equally guilty as we sit around and politely avert our eyes from those yellow school buses that no schoolchild would ever be forced to travel in.

We only slew our collective guilt of the upper classes of society and weaken the argument away from those unfortunates for whom the little gem of 'if you don't like it leave' is of no practical help whatsoever.

yes, some people wanted to go home instead but what can they do, they are already here and if they go home, where would they get the money to pay their debt, a debt that they have so that they could come here and work. signed a contract for 1500QR back home then upon arriving here forced to sign another contract again for 700 QR. what can they do? what would you do if you were on their shoes?

I think you have something personal against me. Watch your language and if you don't like what I posted, doesn't mean is a crap! This is what I think and you cannot change my ideas by being aggressive!
YES, I do saw people smiling when they send money(this 700 QR...)and I know also that a 800 QR salary Nepali worker is calling me every week to came back in Qatar, after he resigned and said to me that he will never come here! So, tell me, who is to blame: Qatar with 600 QR salaries or the origin countries with more less than that? Open you mind, see the entire picture...For an old and wise guy like you it will not be difficult.

Donosa,

We may not forget that these societies are young and most likely could not function without the presence of labor. It takes time before you will see unions here and/or a governmental organ that oversees human rights properly.
It is likely to come, but in due time.

For now, people that have concerns and feel the need. Contribute on a small scale in whichever way you can, enough housewives here with fuck-all to do :-P

Dude.. what makes me laugh, is that these so called housewive's even get housemaid to do their house work.. No wonder they are putting on wieght..:)

-----------------
HE WHO DARES WINS

No, no, you do the Desperate European Housewives a great disservice. I am offended on their behalf. There is plenty of exercise to be had in taking stray cats to the vet for spaying and neutering or "volunteering" for the latest feel-good cause.

Carrying the catbox from the car to the door in these temperatures takes its toll you know.

We speak up for the disenfranchised, but who will be brave enough to speak up for these poor Ladies of independently wealthy means?

So now we know why so many male expatriates are half alcoholics, to deal with their nagging spouse.

dnt you know the GLAZED,,ZOMBIE look is the IN look for 2009?
the doe-eyed,smiling faces is just a fad!!!
but really,your comment has a point.the inner emotion has manifested to the exterior.
every person ive met,talked with and observed coming to our shop has the glazed,zombie look too.
must be the water then...arrrggghhhh

15 years back; not alone but with my wife in Gulf and gone thru all sorts of issues.

One need to have a progressive and positive attitude; hone their skills and grab the opportunity.

Sure i do understand what you mean about building oneself up, improving skills and so on, but this is not the kind of place for that to happen. Anyhow the point is about putting safeguards and checks in place to prevent the worst exploitations.

Tell me, what would 750 riyals have bought you 15 years ago round here? just interested to know.

Beautifully poignant and well written post Luistano.
I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to learn from ThruthfulAdvisors well structured insights aswell.

Just a simple but practical solution that I wish could one day be implemented is that of Zakat.
Zakat (Charity or alms) is the Muslim solution to the problem of impoverished destitution and one of the madatory 5 pillars of Islam required of every muslim.
2.5% of their wealth must be paid annually. Can you imagine the outcome? I know that those who inhabit the top third of the pyramid of wealth don't pay Zakat or else this problem would have been nonexistant.

Truthfullvisitor, the thing is Zakat is not mandatory in a legislative type of way, it is mandatory in the way God expects us to give of free will, like prayer there are no prayer police but we choose to do it.
However when it comes to money, mans vice has always been one of accumilating rather than sharing.
The prophet Mohammed who lived and died a poor man, well awear of our grieviance gave us clear cut instructions on Zakat, By God it is required as a prerequist of Islam (peace - submission to God)thus leaving no doubt and warning very sternly those who don't.
You're average Joe, or should I say Mo, pays his small 2.5 % of his wealth -which to him is relatively big, the same demographics as those effected by the stock market here.
And the same demographic is what the tables in the malls are for. Even well off Muslims in the region pay Zakat.
But not enough to solve the problem of what this thread is about, age old poverty and lack of opportunity.
Im talking about the mind boggling rich ones at the top of the wealth pyramid, which is who i specifically referred to. They dont pay zakat which is obvious.
Maybe busy buying $72M Rothkos...as you know it serves mankind better that way ;)

that laborers being deprived by their rights?

NHRC stresses on adherence to labour law
DOHA: The National Human Rights Committee has laid emphasis on employers and sponsors strictly adhering to Law No.14/2004, which regulates the working hours of labourers during peak summer.
The human rights committee also observed that some work sites lacked the mandatory facilities to be provided there during peak summer.

The committee took exception to the practice of the officials concerned sitting in their offices and waiting for workers to submit complaints against erring employers. These officials must visit the project sites and ensure that the concerned law is being implemented by the sponsors and the rights of the workers are being protected, it said.
http://www.thepenins...

Very well-written..

How can they be happy when they're away from their families and KIDS!! It's the maids that really break my heart (being a mom)..

Qatarita..
Think of the Zakat being implemented on a large scale worldwide.. The Zakat of the Fortune 500 companies will probably form the annual budget of those labourer's countries.. Will we be prepared then to do housework?! :(

PM, reassess to what end?
At least we, the expatriates,( and of course some Qataris) do some good in helping those unfortunate out...did you read the article about the QL volunteer group on GT today?

Let mad dogs bark at the moon...in solitude.

Qatari Lady...you know what I think we would all benefit from doing housework and getting children off tv, out of malls helping out and gaining a level of maturity our youth badly lack.
Husbands would have to be more attentive otherwise comforts of home would crash down around him, as he too will be forced to benefit from this change and become a more family oriented role model because of it.
Our houses would start to decrease in size for want of practicality, we would be nicer with our neighbours and society may start to heal.
We would be too busy with better things than reverting to filling the emptiness and lack of personal growth with material gains just to show off to people we dont like with things we dont need with money we shouldnt spend.
Yes I think i would like this very much, and mind you this is coming from a woman who hasnt the foggiest idea how to operate a washing machiene, for a family home whos staff members outnumber that of the family members.
Yes I would want my children being raised in a healthier environment than one i was born into.
I think society would be better for it.
ANd btw we didnt have maids 50 years ago...ok we had slaves, then, but life wasnt as fake as it is now, and people were healthier and happier than they are now.

Thanks Lusitano for a well written article that touches a cord of guilt when we see these unhappy faces in such a rich surrounding

Good for you.
Send me a note when you have alleviated all misery in this here land.

Let mad dogs bark at the moon...in solitude.

I'm not really sure why you are offended by the idea of someone wanting to give more....

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

PM, Where did you think the back gulf people originated from, these are our brothers and sisters whom were brought from Africa. But are every bit a part of society as we are, some still retain our last names as their identity of whom they are a part of.

Most of the powerful families in Gulf countries had the majority of black (few white) slaves.
Theyve been here since the days of the Prophet Mohammed PBUH.
I said 50 yrs,age wise some are dead but had they been alive today the one in my mind would be a ripe old 90- 100 years old, thininking back to the age of the few of whom I had the fortune of personal interaction with.
The ones that belonged to my mother and father, although i spent more time with the maternal family.
The earliest slave famous you will read of was Bilal; He became one of the prophets closest companions when he found that Islam made him equal to his master.
This I can attest to was one of the die hard habbits this part of the world let go prior Islam.
HOWEVER Unlike the US they werent mistreated in the Gulf, flogging was unheard of, the worst punsihment would be to be sold off. They raised us and were very much a part of our familys. The ones who breast fed our parents automatically became kin.
Also when a slave woman would be bedded by her owner, also unlike the West she wouldnt be passed around as this automatically made her a wife, in fact when she bears him children they automatically become legally his children equal to that of their brothers and sisters included in this is thier right to inherit.
You mention written sources? This is it right here, ive written it now.
Although you ought to know Two famous examples of sons of former slave women: 1- Sheikh Saad Al Abdulla who became crown prince of Kuwait - you ought to at least know this fact PM!!!
And HRH Prince Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the US PM, I hope youre saying "ohhh yes" right about now.
See and you all cheered when Obama was elected, we beat you to it centuries ago.

BTW you havent mentioned your plans " Alexa dont do anymore,I personally think I can and I intend to"

Care to share with us?

Nicely wriiten Qatarita. As you said,They were part of our families. the next generation have well integrated ino the society.Some are having high ranks at the government . Although inter-marriages still looks far, but there is no discrimination in general

I'm still a student :-)

Yes, I am very happy to have elected Obama. My grandchildren are bi-racial and I love to know that they are growing up in a time of greater possibility. I am not ashamed to admit our weaknesses as a nation. In fact, I think by airing them we are more inclined to change them.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

dude. I didn't understand your last phrase:
"Contribute on a small scale in whichever way you can, enough housewives here with fuck-all to do :-P "

Sorry, got lost in translation...

Inter marriages restriction is not limited to the blacks.
Sorry, if I implied that.There is still some cultural taboo, in
Inter marriages among qataris in general. Whether arab tribes, persians,
Arab of persia or blacks.
Anyway, sorry for hijacking lustino thread

Culture will always remain culture, it take decades to break boundaries or taboo's. I think with Muslims these processes go even slower as they are subject to heavy laws and social control.

In the end, McDonalds and Coca Cola will prevail. No worries.

that there are many things to consider about why anyone is here and how they feel about it, I don't think it's bogus to feel something for people who seem to be in unhappy situations here. Just because they may not have all the opportunities someone else has, we still can feel for them. Or at least I can.

Survival of the fittest, yes. But we don't have to lose our humanity on that climb up the ladder.

I refuse to drink the kool-aid! -- PM

Thank you all for your valuable inputs and opinions.
The intention of this post was to recall the attention to the fact that this rich nation, has not yet had the time and the will to establish and implement basic rights for workers, such as minimum salary, days off, the right to have a home and their families with them, holidays, medical, etc, etc, etc...

Basic things that will ensure human dignity, that will give a reason to the gondolas drivers to at least be happy when their working day is over; to the maids that at least could have a day off and meet with their friends...

To remind all of us that this nation still import batches of human flesh instead of individual humans that have right to be treated as such and have right to aspire to the basic human rights of having a home, a family, protection rights against greedy employers, etc... just like any other emigrant to any other civilized country!
After all isn't this country on the top of the great GDP’s list?

These are basic rights that have been established and implemented in many many other countries, with much less resources than this one.
Why can't it be done here?

Of course it is much more comfortable for some of us to look through these cases, as if they were invisible or part of the decor, to pretend that all this is normal and all this abuse its not that but whatever it is, reflections on its causes and existence just don’t take place in our busy and blind minds.

Personally, I think it’s a matter of time. Maybe it will take decades, maybe it will take centuries, but I believe that applying pressure by exposing the obvious abuses, will eventually force those in power to act upon.

And that is what I am trying to do here, contribute to that exposure, to the pressure!
Thank you all.

qatarlady, accept the reality about the situations of underpaid expatriates here but it's good that there are a few like you who cares about the welfare of those unfortunate people. I also believe that it's not qatar itself but in the other hand this government is not doing something to combat exploitation done by foreign companies

I do notice them. I always stop and say Hi to the guy at Carrefour who checks in your shopping bags and I always give him 10QR when I collect my bags. I know the security guys in Virgin, the guys in Starbucks and I take the Karwa bus with the workers and know many of the Dukhan road guys by name.
Often it is not just about tipping but more, for me about looking people in the eye, smiling, acting as if they exist and being one human to another to them. Even if that means sitting next to them, eek a man! eek, a bit sweaty!! I have had a few arguments with people here who say I am "spoiling it for the rest of them" because once a week my Indian cleaner spends half an hour on my Skype to his wife, parents and children.

Personally I like having a cleaner and living in a country where there is a service industry. The divide between rich and poor is the way the world currently is and it's not my, or Qatar's fault. There is a difference between service and slavery and many people forget that here.