Covid: How UAE residents deal with unemployment and wage cuts-News

Doctors say the number of UAE residents seeking help with mental health issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is increasing.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said last week that anxiety surrounding the spread of the virus, the psychological impact of the lockdown and self-isolation, as well as stress related to unemployment, financial worries, and social distancing have all contributed to a mental health crisis.

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Khaleej Times interviewed three residents who are solving some serious problems related to unemployment, wage cuts and family pressure.

“I am unemployed and my marriage is in jeopardy”

Madhavan* is desperately looking for work, and more and more bills to pay. Since his wife is currently the only breadwinner, they have sent two seven- and five-year-olds back home to live with their grandparents.

“Due to the pandemic, I faced a pay cut earlier. Then I was forced to quit my job,” said Madhavan, who joined a new job in October last year but resigned in May.

“We have a lot of promises, such as rent, tuition, credit card payments, personal loans and other utility bills. Because of all of these, managing the family has been a stressful period. We can’t afford the children’s tuition, so we’re in February Sent them back home. They now live with their grandparents and go to school there,” he added.

The 46-year-old revealed that things had become so bad that he often quarreled with his wife who married after a “beautiful courtship”.

“Since then I have been looking for a job, but no luck. I have been receiving interview calls, but no positive things have happened. Age is also a factor. So, the pressure has increased because I don’t have a job and the children return India, and all these other promises. My wife and I often quarrel — almost breaking up,” Madavan said.

“I am still struggling with a pay cut”

Edwin* has been working from home since April last year. After facing a salary cut, he had to use only 15% of his salary to take care of his wife and 7-year-old daughter.

Edwin said that pay cuts and longer jobs were a good thing for him, but he “somehow managed to maintain” his sanity.

“I have been working from home since April last year. My wife has also been working from home and I have to work long hours,” Edwin said.

“From April to October last year, I only got 15% of my salary. The salary gradually increased to 50%, and now I get about 80%,” he said.

“Although I was afraid of being trapped, I sent my family home.”

Mohammed* was forced to send his wife and two children back to India because his significant other was almost exhausted. Although they may be in trouble due to the suspension of India-UAE travel, he did so.

“Despite the continued suspension of flights between India and the UAE, I sent my wife and children home. The problem is that for the past year, my children have been doing e-learning, so my wife is under pressure. Big and exhausted, because I was leaving the office, she had to take care of two children in school.

“They are in different schools and different grades-one is in grade 2 and the other is in KG1. So, both have completely different responsibilities, and she has to constantly shuffle between the two during school hours. I It can be seen that she is completely nervous and she needs to take a break. So, just before the summer vacation, I sent them home.”

Muhammad is not sure when he will see his wife and children next time.

“I’m not sure when they will come back, but I took this opportunity because I just wanted to give her a break. It was really stressful for her. She had to sit with them even after school. , To help them complete homework and other extracurricular activities.

“So, even though I knew they might be trapped, I took this opportunity. It was a conscious decision so that she could have a good mental space,” he said.

(*In order to protect their privacy, the names of residents have been changed)

James Jose