Many expats in the UAE have developed deep, familial bonds with their Emirati employers over decades. Abdulrahman, a Pakistani worker, arrived in the UAE at the age of 16 and has spent 22 years with the Al Mutaiwai family in Hatta. Despite visiting his own family in Pakistan regularly, he confesses that he feels like a stranger when he returns, as the UAE has become his true home.
His dedication to the family extended beyond professional duties. Abdulrahman grew close to his employer, accompanying him to medical visits and taking over many responsibilities on the family farm. Following the elder Al Mutaiwai's death, Abdulrahman continued to receive unwavering support from the family.
In another example of lifelong bonds, Saeed Al Shard, an Emirati from Dubai, has welcomed Abbas, a domestic worker from Pakistan, into his family for 47 years. Arriving in 1977 at the young age of 14, Abbas was treated as one of the family by Saeed’s mother. Over the years, the family provided moral and financial support, including helping Abbas start his own family.
These stories shed light on the unique, long-lasting relationships between Emirati families and expat workers, built on mutual trust, care, and respect.
