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A look at workplace sexual harassment in UAE

Khaleej Times takes a look at the rights of female employees as well as where the issue of harassment can be raised and reported.

Fighting for recognition in the corporate world is a tough job for both sexes but when the perks are packaged along with harassment on the job or while hunting for one, it becomes even tougher for women.

Harassment for female job hunters and employees in the UAE take different forms. Studies from last year show that 80 per cent of women who experience harassment - physical or verbal - do not report it.

While harassment can sometimes go be subtle, it leaves a psychological impact on female employees. Khaleej Times spoke to women in different professions, and each of them had a story to tell.

She added that among the requirements, the chairman asked for a single woman aged between 23 and 27 years and a number of different photos along with the application. "I bluntly asked them, does he want to hire me or marry me? It was an architect position, not even a model," said J.N., noting that her being selected for job interviews is based on her appearance. "Most of the time when I walk in for a job interview, I can see how I'm looked at, and the sad fact is, it happens in the workplace for women more often than it should," she added.

How are UAE women harassed at workplaces

"It takes double the effort for women to be respected as much as a man in the workplace, let alone be successful."

Sent by an advertising agency to conduct an interview with an established singer, A.J. said the male singer asked her to do the interview in his room. "He had me waiting in the hotel reception, and when he asked me to go up to his room, I yelled and got very angry. As he came down to apologise, halfway during the interview, he tried to touch my hair when no one was around," she said that throughout the interview, he gave her weird looks. As she was about to leave, the singer forcefully hugged her and tried to kiss her. "When we complain, often the comments that we get are: 'it's your fault'."

Ways in which the UAE law protects female workers

For the advertising manager, learning to treat a woman respectfully comes from homes. "If men are educated to treat women with respect and to treat them as their partners in the workplace, it will develop a better society and change looks towards women."

She did not blame the company as they cannot control the public. "But they can control their staff. Married men had the audacity to ask me out for coffee or for a cigarette. And they never took no as an answer, which drove me to tears sometimes."

She added: "What's even worse is that young women learn to accept it. They say 'ignore it' but I cannot. If we don't raise our concerns, nothing will change."

How UAE women can overcome harassment at workplace

Another promoter, Y.F., said her staff members and employers, have subtle gestures that are offensive to women. "Although it's a professional environment, I notice that some of them don't hear what I say. They instead look at my lips when I am talking, or check out my body."

She added: "For women, we have to put a manly exterior or tone down our smiles in the workplace to avoid harassment. It's very subtle in our societies that we cannot do anything about it."

Engineer W.L. noted she was once sent to close a deal with one of the contractors because "according to my boss, I will attract them." The engineer noted she was the only non-hijabi among other female employees. "Even in the most reputable places, you'd find such subtle comments happening. It really brings you down as a woman."

Incidents where job seekers faced rape in UAE

by Amira Agarib/Khaleej Times

Recently, two men kidnapped, raped, robbed and threatened to kill a woman who responded to a vacancy posted on a well-known website.

Last October, a man stood trial for raping a co-worker after offering her driving lessons in the desert.

In October this year, an Emirati government employee stood trial for raping a Spanish woman after he offered to help her find a job and train her in his flat.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com