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Kuwaiti Instagram star sparks outrage over slave rant: 'How can I have a servant who keeps their own passport?'

Sondos Alqattan is under fire for her ‘slave’ rant [Photo: Instagram]
Sondos Alqattan is under fire for her ‘slave’ rant [Photo: Instagram]

Social media is a tool used to share about your day, shop your favourite online model‘s look and keep in touch with friends.

But one Instagram celebrity is coming under harsh criticism after sharing a video rant about new laws improving the rights of domestic workers.

Sondos Alqattan, a Kuwaiti make up artist, shared her outrage around news laws allowing her maid one day off each week and to keep their passports.

The new labour laws were introduced to protect the rights of Filipino domestic workers in Kuwait.

“How can you have a servant at home who keeps their own passport with them?” asked Alqattan in the since-removed video. “What’s worse is they have one day off every week… If they run away and go back to their country, who will refund me? Honestly I disagree with this law. I don’t want a Filipino maid any more.”

Seated in her luxury car ranting to her more than 2.3 million followers, the beauty blogger sparked outrage in the Philippines and Middle East.

With Migrante International, a Filipino advocacy group, likening Alqattan’s comments to that of a “slave owner” with an outlook “that literally belongs to the dark ages.”

Migrante International is calling on the social media star to publicly apologise for her demeaning comments.

The agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait came after months of strained relations. In February there was a temporary ban on Filipino workers traveling to Kuwait after a domestic worker was found dismembered in the freezer of a flat.

The agreement was signed to eliminate tension and improve the human rights of Filipino workers in Kuwait.

As for Alqattan, two major beauty brands have ended their contracts with her as a result of her rant. She continues to defend her position, sharing a follow up post addressing the “rumours.”

She has since disabled comments on her social media.

The outrage continues as people call for other high profile brands that sponsor the blogger to cancel their contracts – most notably Max Factor and MAC Cosmetics.

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