Sondos al-Qattan beauty blogger and social media star from Kuwait, caused international outrage recently after her derogatory comments about Filipino ‘guest workers’ went viral.


Al-Qattan’s short Instagram video, now deleted, expressed her disgust that her ‘servants’ are now legally required to have a day, yes a whole day off each week, and keep their passports with them at all times.

Kuwait, like some other countries in the Gulf region, employs the controversial ‘Kafala‘ system, which gives local employers wide-ranging powers over migrant workers in the construction and service industries.

Kuwait’s booming oil-based economy relies heavily on foreign workers, mostly from places like India, the Philippines and Bangladesh, who make up two-thirds of Kuwait’s population of 4.5 million. 90% of Kuwaiti households employ and ‘sponsor’ foreign domestic workers, and abuses of the system are widespread.

As well as routinely having passports and salaries withheld, workers are unable to leave or change jobs without their employers’ consent.

Some cases have involved physical and sexual assault, even murder, with the ‘guest worker’ having little legal assistance to rely on.

The system is seen by many as a modern form of slavery, and has become the source of diplomatic tension between Kuwait and the Philippines over the way Filipino domestic workers have been treated.

The Philippines have now imposed a total ban on new workers seeking employment in Kuwait, pending investigation into several suspicious deaths.

Al-Qattan’s rant has brought a renewed focus on this problematic situation, and people are demanding that high-profile brands that she works with drop her immediately.

The star, who has 2.3 million followers on Instagram, offered an apology and explanation for her outburst, urging people not to judge her without knowing her personally.

“Don’t judge a person without full understanding of the situation,” she wrote. Just because you don’t agree, doesn’t mean that you’re right!”







https://www.boredpanda.com/social-media-beauty-influencer-filipino-workers-sondos-alqattan-kuwait/?cexp_id=11380&cexp_var=11&_f=featured&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=direct

And she actually tried to clear her name on an Instagram post.

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The law was changed after the death of Joanna Demafelis, a Filipina domestic worker murdered in Kuwait.

And she actually tried to clear her name on an Instagram post.

But people are still enraged.

More.

Reactions

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This is wrong on all levels.

Why should an employer keep his employee's passport? She is talking about the employer's interest.

Madam interest, what about the employee's interest?

Humans sha

Someone said she should eat some makeup maybe she would become pretty inside...

"Just because you don’t agree, doesn’t mean that you’re right!”

She still feels no remorse over her wanton display of stupidity.....

I am just here observing their comments.
Nobody is shouting 'religion of piss', 'women are very wicked'
'osu women and wickedness' 'skullminers or Afonjàs'.

But #ThisIsNigeria.
I am patiently waiting for our own comments.

pocohantas:
I am just here observing the comments.
Nobody is shouting 'religion of piss'
Or 'women are very wicked'

But #ThisIsNigeria.
I am patiently waiting for our own comments.

Lol.

It's not new
Arabs see Africans and sub Africans as Slaves

tofolo:
Someone said she should eat some makeup maybe she would become pretty inside...

The comment touched my soul

With all that beauty, someone will think she has sense


One day off outta 7 days is still not enough!

Try working as a servant and see f those conditions are favorable

this is one dumb girl she need to shove in some makeup so as to be pretty inside

what can i say?

Racist pig!

It is worrisome that modern day slavery is still acceptabl in Arab countries. I wonder what UN is doing about it.

Sterope:
Racist pig!

It is worrisome that modern day slavery is still acceptabl in Arab countries. I wonder what UN is doing about it.

the UN/US doesn't care na.

so far they keep getting their oil.

There are a lot of human right abuses going on in those Arab countries but na African leaders that they would be running after just because they didn't dance to their tune. Mugabe and Gadaffi comes to mind.

Those hypocrites cannot be bothered. If it doesn't affect their interests, it doesn't matter.

I am really happy she decided to show the world her inner ugliness. It is a wake up call for others like her. I don't believe for a second she is remorseful. Her 'apology' does not sound like one.

timay:


the UN/US doesn't care na.

so far they keep getting their oil.

There are a lot of human right abuses going on in those Arab countries but na African leaders that they would be running after just because they didn't dance to their tune. Mugabe and Gadaffi comes to mind.

seunny4lif:
It's not new Arabs see Africans and sub Africans as Slaves

What do you mean by `sub-Africans'?

Beautiful outside but a demon inside.



Lalasticlala

pocohantas:
I am just here observing their comments.
Nobody is shouting 'religion of piss', 'women are very wicked'
'osu women and wickedness' 'skullminers or Afonjàs'.

But #ThisIsNigeria.
I am patiently waiting for our own comments.

[img]http:///media/12-24-2016/E1c7QP.gif[/img]