How to Prepare for a Domestic Worker Job in the Middle East

One of the job opportunities in Qatar is to work as a domestic helper. A lot of our kababayans gain employment in this field.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: A Day in the Life of a Hotel Maintenance Staff

To prepare for this contract, what should be included in the luggage? What should be brought in going abroad?

Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.

Handy Tips Before Going Abroad

Being away for about two years, or depending on the contract, entails a lot of preparation. You would need to bring some of the essentials as you begin your job.

In this vlog from DH in Qatar, you will get an idea of what you can bring to help you adjust to your work and new home. If you have an idea of what you can or cannot bring, then you will save yourself the hassle of removing some items in your luggage.

Here are some tips for those who are bound to the Middle East:

The first thing that you should remember is that you will be working and living in someone’s home. You need to make sure that what you bring will not offend the others around you.
If you want to bring religious items such as the Holy Bible, crucifix, or rosary, you could check with the employment agency if you can bring it with you. Remember that the Middle East is a Muslim country. They might not allow bringing of any items outside the religion. Our vlogger shares that the employers will not likely check the luggage that their helper will bring, so they might not see any religious items that you have. But despite this, some employment agencies might require the domestic helper to leave such items just to be sure.
You can also bring nail cutters or any similar grooming materials. Put these in the luggage as a check-in item.
You can also bring toiletries such as shampoo, but you need to seal the bottle well. The toiletries should also be checked in.
Petroleum jelly is essential to help prevent chapping of lips and cracking of the skin. You can buy a small bottle locally, then buy a big one in Qatar since it is much cheaper.
You can also bring some food with you so you’ll have something to eat during your first few days at your employer’s house. It is also good to have food that is familiar to you. Once again, these should be placed in the luggage.
You can bring personal items such as towels, slippers, blankets. Just fold them well so they will fit well with your other stuff.
For your clothing, you can bring jackets, sweat pants, jeans, and t-shirts. You don’t have to bring a lot of clothes since you will be wearing a uniform.
You can also bring shorts, but these should not be too short.
You can put your clothes in hand-carry if they will fit in your bag.
If you can manage it, you don’t have to buy a suitcase to bring to your work. Our vlogger advises you to use what bag you have since you can buy sturdy luggage once you are in Qatar.

When you are going to work as a domestic helper, you need to bring patience, determination, and strategy. You will need these traits to help you do the tasks assigned to you. To have a harmonious working relationship, you should also respect your employer’s culture.

You can watch the video here: