ABU DHABI // As Ramadan approaches and families lay on huge iftar meals, temporary cooks and cleaners are in high demand, according to labour providers.
One Abu Dhabi domestic help company said it was receiving up to 40 calls a day for workers to fill in the gaps as people geared up for giving meals to the needy during the holy month.
“There is more demand in the market, particularly for cleaners and cooks, both full-time and part-time,” said Kamil Guma, manager at Al Dhabiyani Labour Supplies Services.
“Every year we experience a rise in demand for cleaners and cooks in Ramadan.”
His company charges Dh35 an hour in Abu Dhabi city, and Dh45 outside. He said he had staff from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Uganda but Filipinos were often the preferred choice.
Emirati Salem Al Qubaisi said he was employing more staff during Ramadan.
“This is the month of giving, sharing and care,” he said. “To reach others with an iftar, of course we need more people to do the work.
“This Ramadan we have temporarily hired two more people and they are going to remain with us for the full month of Ramadan.
“Bachelors who are in contact with us, we also bring them in to help each other and break the fast throughout the month with us.”
Mr Al Qubaisi said his household could prepare up to 100 meals a day at times, depending on demand.
“We also order food from big restaurants. The entire month is a holy celebration for us and everybody is welcome from all nationalities and religions,” he said.
Hussain Al Hammadi said he had hired an additional cook, in addition to his maids.
“As meals are prepared from home to give out to other fasting people and neighbours, we need extra people to help with arranging and distributing them,” the Emirati said.
“It’s not a culture but a traditional duty of all Muslims to equally share among others and feed them whatever they eat. Sharing and caring for others and feeling others’ hunger is the basic feature of Ramadan and teachings of Islam.”
Mary Malang, of Global Recruitment in Abu Dhabi, said the demand was higher during the holy month.
“Mostly people are asking for cooks nowadays, and it’s because of Ramadan, when lots of cooking is done.”
Another cleaning company, which did not want to be named, said demand for temporary cleaning staff was higher during Ramadan.
“For the city, we charge Dh40 per hour and provide a cleaner for a minimum of four hours,” a spokesman said.
anwar@thenational.ae
