Housemaids double as drivers for some families

Housemaids double as  drivers for some families

By Salman Siddiqui/Staff Reporter

Instructors from two leading driving schools in Doha have told the Gulf Times that they are seeing an increase in the enrolment of housemaids, especially from the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

One such housemaid, Lily (not her real name), recently joined a leading private driving school. “I have been in Doha for only a few months and I am doing all the household work for my sponsor’s family, including cleaning and washing, taking care of the children and sometimes even cooking,” she said.

When asked why she was getting enrolled into the driving school, Lily said her sponsor didn’t have time to pick children from school and came up with the idea of enrolling her into a driving school.

“I didn’t come here to work as a driver, I know that. But they offered me an extra payment of QR200 in addition to my salary, so I said OK,” she said.

Housemaids are typically in the very low-income bracket. Monthly salaries of live- in maids tend to be between QR900 and 2,500.

Many such workers are in Qatar to support their own children back home, some of them are as young as three-year-old. “Many of these maids are picked and dropped by their sponsor families from the schools at the end of each driving lesson,” Sunil (not his real name), an instructor, observed.

He said that most maids who get enrolled in the schools have previously never driven a car in their lives and are very nervous about learning how to drive.

“They always get enrolled in the school’s full course programme. Sometimes it is really difficult to teach them because most of them just don’t understand what the instructor is trying to tell them and make many, many mistakes,” the instructor said.

Also, add to the fact that the maids often turn up lethargic at the school since they are already too tired from their work. Plus, they seriously lack road confidence and concentration.

“During most of our driving sessions, they tell us about their workload and problems they have, and I try to tell them to just forget about everything when you are in the driving seat,” Sunil added.

Although some may argue that maids are being exploited by their sponsors since they are saving up on the cost of hiring a separate driver, according to the law there is nothing illegal.

An official in the administration of another leading driving school said that by law there is nothing against such enrollments. “The traffic law rules are clear that anybody from any profession or nationality can enroll in driving schools and get a licence,” he added.

Moldovan Deputy PM meets QCCI officials

QNA/Doha

The invitation came during a meeting between the Moldovan deputy PM and his accompanying delegation with representatives of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI)) headed by its honorary treasurer Ali bin Abdulateef al-Misnad.

The meeting discussed the prospects of co-operation between the Qatari and Moldovan businessmen in the fields of agriculture, food security, communication and environment.

Al-Misnad said that Qatar Chamber is currently studying the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with its Moldovan counterpart to enhance co-operation between businessmen of both countries, stressing that many Qatari businessmen are interested in exploring investment opportunities in Moldova.

The Moldovan delegation included representative of the ministries of agriculture, communication and transportation.

Qatar, Burundi sign air service agreement

QNA/Doha

The agreement allows the national carriers of both countries to operate seven weekly passenger and cargo flights through any points of their respective territories.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority Abdulaziz Mohamed al-Nuaimi and Burundi’s Minister of Transport, Public Works, and Equipment Deogratias Rurimunzu in Doha.

Screening ‘best way to detect cervical cancer’

“Screening tests offer the best chance to detect cervical cancer at its early stage when successful treatment is probable. Also, screening can actually prevent most cervical cancers by finding abnormal cervix cell changes so that they can be treated before they have a chance to turn into a cervical cancer,” she said.

The official also highlighted that cervical cancer deaths are higher in populations around the world where women do not have routine cervical cancer screening.

Cervical cancer is the second major cause of cancer deaths in women in many developing countries, she said.

In these cases, women are usually diagnosed with late stage cancers, rather than pre-cancers or early cancers, she added.

With cancer being the third leading cause of death in the Qatar, PHCC is strongly supporting the initiative to tackle a rapid and definitive diagnosis for suspected cancer cases in the country.

To that effect, the PHCC has organised a four-day workshop on cervical cancer early detection and screening programme for some 100 PHCC physicians and nurses.

The aim of the workshop was to improve PHCC doctors and nurses’ knowledge and skills on utilising the latest cervical screening protocol and required forms.

Moldovan team in Doha to seek investment

The Qatar Chamber (QC) yesterday received a delegation from Moldova aiming at boosting mutual economic and trade relations between the two countries.

They discussed opportunities of co-operation and investment in fields such as agriculture, food security, communications and environment.

The Moldavian delegation included representatives from the ministries of agriculture, communications and transportations.

The Qatari side was headed by QC honorary treasurer Ali Abdullatif al-Misnad and the Moldavian side by the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova Eugen Carpov. The meeting was also attended by Nasser al-Meer QC member of board and the ambassador of Moldova to Qatar among other senior officials from Moldova.

The visiting delegation presented the available investment opportunities in Moldova in agriculture sector and the efforts of the government to develop this sector.

The Moldavian minister of environment said that the country is expecting more co-operation from Qatari businessmen in the environmental fields such as recycling, use of technology in treating potable water and decreasing carbon emissions resulting from the use of energy.

Al-Misnad said that QC is studying an initiative to sign a memorandum of understanding with its Moldavian counterpart as soon as possible.

He added that many Qatari businessmen are keen on exploring the available economic opportunities there. Eventually, Carpov invited Qatari businessmen and members of QC to visit his country and have a first-hand knowledge of the current investment atmosphere there.

 AAB Lexus sales drive to run until June-end

Abdullah Abdulghani & Bros Co’s Lexus sales campaign, ‘This summer, progress towards luxury,’ will run until the end of June.

A purchase of any Lexus model comes with a QR5,000 worth voucher, which can be used to pay for servicing the vehicle at an AAB Service Centre or for spare-parts.

AAB Lexus had launched a number of models last year under the Spindle Grill concept, which along with L-Finesse bold style design, ground breaking technologies and capabilities has given the Lexus models a new look.

The Lexus sedan range includes the sporty IS, elegant ES, dynamic GS, powerful ISF, and the flagship LS while the SUV segment consists of the refined RX, superior GX and the luxurious and powerful LX.

QNB and First Finance are offering competitive finance terms. QNB’s offer includes flat interest rates as low as 2.22%, grace period of six months for the first instalment, and 0% down payment. First Finance’s offer includes an interest rate of 3.2%.

New industrial area to be set up soon in Mesaieed:Qatar Chamber

There are many requests from businessmen to have industrial plots. In addition, there is a new area at the west of the existing industrial area that the Ministry of Energy and Industry is preparing  as another industrial area.

“The new industrial areas are intended to overcome the shortage of industrial plots, currently being faced by businessmen,” he explained.

Engineer Saeed Mubarak al-Kawari, director of the Industrial Development Department at the Ministry Energy and Industry, has added that the industrial areas in Qatar will satisfy the needs of all businessmen and will be supervised by the Qatar Authority for Medium and Small enterprises.

Concern over bachelors’ gatherings

Several residents have sought action to deal with the issue of bachelors and workers crowding the Airport Commercial Street, especially after 4pm, local Arabic daily Al Sharq has reported.

It has been observed that dozens of bachelors and workers gather on pavements and in front of stores in the neighbourhood during the evening. This, says the report, causes a lot of inconvenience and disturbance to women and families who visit the area for shopping.

Most of these bachelors live in houses located in the surrounding residential areas, which are also home to a large number of families, according to the report.

As a probable solution to the problem, the residents have demanded that committees be formed to look into the issue of accommodation for bachelors and implement rules to ensure that they are shifted from the neighbouring residential areas, says the report.

The Airport Commercial Street attracts a large number of people every day, including women shoppers.

According to the report, a number of citizens have said the problem exists as there is no co-operation between the house owners and the competent authorities.

Two youngsters killed in Shamal Road accident