Image Source: Sondos Al Qattan Instagram page

Social media is known for it’s dragging culture and recently a well known Kuwaiti blogger, with 2.3 million followers on Instagram, took centre stage. Sondos Al Qattan was called out for her views and approach to employing Filipino workers and their rights. A recent change in laws in Kuwait mean that workers’ rights were reviewed. Sondos disagreed with the change which would mean time off,  totalling a ‘massive’ 4 days a month, she also expressed that keeping their passports was acceptable. Usually when people are dragged a statement is issued dispelling all the misunderstandings but it seems Sondos missed the point in her statement and refused to apologise and was dragged even further and yes it gets worse, she finally released a social media video stating that we should all move on and that there are more important things in the world like botox. 

The brands that Sondos works with have received increasing pressure to drip Sondos from their campaigns. Max Factor Arabia issued a statement to The National stating “Max Factor Arabia was shocked by the comments made by the influencer Sondos Al Qattan. Sondos’ comments are personal and do not represent either the values or the principles that Max Factor Arabia stands for. Max Factor stands for women’s empowerment and supporting every woman to express her individuality, irrespective of ethnicity and occupation. Max Factor Arabia is taking this incident very seriously and have immediately suspended all collaborations with Sondos.”

Despite the move and backlash, with many trying to explain and point out to her why her opinions are problematic, Sondos appears to stand by her views and opinions.

Do you think influencer immunity exists? Should we hold influencers accountable for their opinions and views? Do you think more pressure should be directed at the Kuwaiti government? Write for Amaliah by submitting pitches to contribute@amaliah.com

Part I

Sondos disagrees with the new law and states she will not hire Filipino workers…

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blf1Hy-nGl1/?tagged=sondos_aq

Part II

Sondos issues a statement without an apology…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BllxgMEHqDK/?taken-by=sondos_aq

Part III

Sondos tells us to move on and focus on much more important things like botox…

https://www.facebook.com/trtworld/videos/2174765802793564/

Twitter

Many equated her views to contributing to modern day slavery.

This is Sondos Alqattan, the face of a modern day master of slaves. She believes Filipino domestic helpers should not be given days off nor have possession of their own passports.#sondosalqattan#StopSlaveryhttps://t.co/6KlzedrTsR

— Sometimes (@TalkativeAko) July 21, 2018

Boycotts for the brands Sondos works with have been voiced.

https://twitter.com/TheBordetz/status/1021322593935286272

Some Muslims believe her statements are not reflecting of Islamic principles and called Kuwait and Arab nations into account

https://twitter.com/JohnLaprise/status/1022127569917882369

https://twitter.com/ugur_tezcan/status/1020653636064604160