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A Gambian girl with a decent job in Dubai: Interview with Mamie Manneh
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A Gambian girl with a decent job in Dubai: Interview with Mamie Manneh

With the recent surge in young Gambian women seeking greener pastures in Dubai comes news of domestic slavery and prostitution. But contrary to the bad press blitz, all is not doom and gloom. Mamie Manneh is among the few Dubai-based Gambian girls with a decent job. She moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after bagging a job with a 5-Star hotel.

Read below our chat with Mamie:

What’s On-Gambia: How are you Mamie?

Mamie:I am off today, been sleeping the whole day.

Can you tell us when and why you moved to Dubai?

I moved here in 2011, because Dubai is a major tourist destination with 5-Star hotels, and a better salary than The Gambia.

What type of job do you have?

I work at the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates Hotel as a receptionist.

How did you get the job?

I was working at the Sheraton Hotel in The Gambia and that made it easy. I applied online and was offered the job.

The main reason why I decided to come to Dubai is that I want to earn a better salary and also enhance my career in hospitality management.

Are you the only African working as a receptionist at your hotel?

Yes, I am the only African.

What's your take on the widespread rumor that most Gambian girls in Dubai work as maids and prostitutes?

I work at a hotel reception, but to be honest, I have never seen a Gambian prostitute. However, there are some that work as housemaids.

What's your advice to Gambian girls who want to work in Dubai?

Not just the girls, boys as well. Currently there are so many Gambian youths in UAE with sad stories. People think that it is easy to get a job here, which is totally wrong. My advice is beware of fake agencies.

They take a lot of money from young Gambians promising them decent jobs but only for those people to arrive at the airport and realize it is all lies.

Dubai is an expensive city and the living cost is huge.

Are your employers nice to you?

They are very, very nice!

 

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