It was only a few days ago that the Qatari cabinet approved a new draft law that clearly defined the rights and duties of domestic workers as well as their sponsors.

However a few residents, who sponsor household workers, and housemaid recruitment agencies have voiced their concern over weekly holidays for house workers, reported The Peninsula.

In comments published by Al Sharq newspaper on their website, some people felt allowing maids to go out of the house on off days would create problems as it’s not in line with national traditions and social mores.

Some commenters also wanted clarifications about who would be held responsible if something happened to workers while they were out on their off day.

While some people were ok with giving them an off day to stay inside the house itself, others felt it would still be considered as working as they were still in their work environment.

The scope of domestic helpers has been broadened to include drivers, nannies, cooks, gardeners and their equivalents. The new draft law is expected to specify duty hours of domestic helps, weekly off and annual vacations.