Treat your nanny the way you want her to treat your child


  • English
  • Arabic

'I have surveillance cameras covering every inch of the apartment," she told me, whispering so she wouldn't be overheard by the quiet Filipino nanny standing just a few metres away, helping a tawny-haired 3-year-old boy navigate the playground slide.

"And I've made sure she knows about them, so she's aware we're watching her. Believe me, if you ever get a maid, you have to install cameras; you'll see, it's the only way to get any peace of mind. You just can't risk it if she turns out to be some kind of monster."

The other mothers sitting nearby on that mild, spring day nodded knowingly. I had taken my daughter down to the playground in our building, both for the fresh air and so I could meet other mothers with youngsters. The mothers were certainly there, huddled together, enveloped in gossip and laughter.

Their children were also there, a short walk away, swinging from bars and sliding down slides, supervised by nannies: Filipino, certainly, but also Sri Lankan, Indonesian, Bangladeshi and Ethiopian.

Later, we all stepped in from the rising heat and headed to a cafe in the building. The mothers placed their orders: cappuccinos and macchiatos and sweating glasses of ice coffee to soothe parched throats. The maids were instructed to fetch the cups and continue minding the children. No one thought to ask any of the nannies if they were thirsty.

I've watched this scenario unfold so many times that I've almost begun to turn a blind eye to it. How many times have I seen a nanny, sitting at the corner of the family table in a crowded restaurant, urging a child to take one more bite of a chicken nugget, perhaps as she contends with a wailing, squirming baby in her lap, while the impassive parents chow down. Eventually, she may get to eat too - most likely discarded nuggets and soggy fries.

Every time I read of a maid who has abused a child, maimed a child, killed a child - and there are many such cases - I can't help but wonder how the parents of the harmed baby were treating their maid.

Did that maid have fair and transparent terms of employment? Did she have reasonable working hours, enough sleep, enough food to give her the energy needed to handle a demanding child? Was she given incentives to do well? A reason to love and care for a baby in a manner a mother would deem appropriate? Were her cultural and religious differences tolerated and respected? Was she treated with kindness? Was she seen as a human being?

I do not need to be a mother to believe, vehemently, that a parent should treat the person looking after their baby just as they would want that person to treat said baby.

Each maid is a human being hired to take care of your precious child. You want her to have your baby's best interests at heart, and one sure way to do that is to have her best interests at heart. To treat her well.

And yet, for every story of a servant harming a child, there's a story of a sponsor harming a servant. How are nannies expected to treat the child of a person who may treat them like mindless, thoughtless, heartless slaves?

If you do not feed her, she will take that morsel of food out of your baby's mouth and place it in her own. If you do not care for her needs, she will be oblivious to your baby's needs. If you emotionally abuse her, she will use the power of words to tear your child's self esteem to shreds - without you ever knowing it. And if you beat her, she will take it out on your baby, physically.

Surveillance cameras are not the answer; they will only strip her of her dignity. Threats and mistreatment are not the answer; she will only want to lash out, and your child is the obvious target.

It's an ugly cycle. Children who witness their parents' mistreatment of maids and nannies may grow up to do the exact same thing, because they have learnt that that is how a nanny or a maid should be treated: as a mere belonging to be abused at will.

I do not need to be a mother to see the hopeless viciousness of this cycle, nor do I need to be a mother to deduce that a mistreated maid eventually takes out her frustrations on a helpless, vulnerable babe, and it is the parents who will be partly to blame.

But it is only now I am a mother that I feel strongly about vocalising these fears, if not for the poor maid living in horrible conditions, then at least for the defenceless baby who may end up paying for the sins of the parents.

Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
PAST 10 BRITISH GRAND PRIX WINNERS

2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2012 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2011 - Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2010 - Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2008 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre V6

Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km

Price: Dh179,999-plus

On sale: now 

Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House

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Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D 
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Squads

India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.

Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

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How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school

Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety

Shows signs of depression or isolation

Ability to sleep well diminishes

Academic performance begins to deteriorate

Changes in eating habits

Struggles to concentrate

Refuses to go to school

Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings

Begins to use language they do not normally use

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre V10

Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: From Dh1 million

On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022 

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ATP WORLD No 1

2004 Roger Federer

2005 Roger Federer

2006 Roger Federer

2007 Roger Federer

2008 Rafael Nadal

2009 Roger Federer

2010 Rafael Nadal

2011 Novak Djokovic

2012 Novak Djokovic

2013 Rafael Nadal

2014 Novak Djokovic

2015 Novak Djokovic

2016 Andy Murray

2017 Rafael Nadal

2018 Novak Djokovic

2019 Rafael Nadal

All Blacks line-up for third Test

J Barrett; I Dagg, A Lienert-Brown, N Laumape, J Savea; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).

Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden, M Fekitoa.

Match info

Liverpool 3
Hoedt (10' og), Matip (21'), Salah (45 3')

Southampton 0

The lowdown

Rating: 4/5