Demand for part-time maids increases exponentially among Qatari and non-Qatari families during Ramadan, and the trend has been no different this year.

Families usually hire maids on hourly basis during the holy month compared with regular days because of hectic house work, especially cooking for guests for Iftar parties.

With increasing demand, manpower agencies which supply maids, too, have increased hourly fees for part-time maids, according to many families.

Hiring a maid per hour for work during Ramadan could cost between QR40 and QR70 compared to about QR25 on normal days.

However, many families prefer part-time maids and claim that it's convenient for them compared with keeping a full-time maid at home.

Azza Mustafah, an Arab working woman, said, "I hire two maids for five hours from a manpower agency on days we host guests for Iftar banquet and pay QR150 each

"In a way, it's easy to hire part- time maids because there are many requirements to be met for hiring a full-time maid."

Some families pay as much as QR4,000 for part-time maids to help them with household work.

Nauf Al Doosari, a working Qatari woman, said she has been waiting for five months to get a permanent maid.

"I have been trying to get a maid for five months. So in Ramadan, I'm forced to hire part- time maids which costs around QR4,000 per month," she said.

Hassa Al Ansari, another working Qatari woman, said, "During Ramadan permanent maids at home alone can't manage work. Sometimes they complain and refuse to do more work, so the option is to hire part-time domestic helps."

Some complain that manpower agencies exploit demand for part- time maids during Ramadan and raise fees.

Muna Al Jabor said, "Maids are necessary during Ramadan to have an extra hand for work because we host many guests.

"But manpower companies cash in on the situation. On normal days they charge QR25 per hour per maid, and QR45 during Ramadan. It's too costly for families, but we have no alternative."

Some others say hiring part-time maids is hassel-free, although they have to give a huge fee.

Abir Mohamed said, "Recruiting regular maids is not easy, there are lots of requirements to fulfil, especially we have to give them a separate room to stay.

"So hiring a part-time maid is the best option we have, mainly during Ramadan, when there is more house work is to be done. [The Peninsula]

Maids over-worked during Ramadan

In the GCC, Ramadan means reduced work hours for most residents. But, for many domestic workers – the work day becomes even longer during Ramadan. Most domestic workers in the region on a regular basis work upwards of 15 hours a day.

Many maids have also been reported running away from homes during Ramadan due to the heavy workload. Many Qatari households are allegedly guilty of mistreating their maids and not letting them rest enough during the holy month.

A recent campaign by Migrant-Rights.org encouraging residents in Qatar and across the region to give domestic workers adequate rest has been getting a lot of attention on social media.

The new campaign hopes to inspire more families to grant their housemaids adequate leisure time and rest, and include them in social activities.

Cover photo for illustration only.