Why do women migrate to work as domestic servants? Typically, women migrate to work as domestic workers for one of three reasons. (i) limited or no employment in their country of origin (ii) income in their country of origin is not sufficient to support their family; and (iii) moving away from an unstable family situation. Women see working as a cleaner in another country as a way to solve these problems and provide for their families back home. However, the question arose once these women from less developed countries arrive in rich developed countries, does working as a "maid" provide greater independence or does it simply lead to more oppression and exploitation? This essay will demonstrate, using the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates as a case study, that there is no conclusive answer to the question posed; rather, it depends on the country and each person's individual circumstances. Does employment offer them greater independence in the United States? The experience of domestic workers in the United States varies greatly depending on the women's visa status and the work arrangements in place for the domestic worker. In general, housekeepers in the United States lack the most independence and control over their lives and often work long hours without a day off. On the other hand, domestic workers living outside have, to some extent, more independence and freedom of life, but this depends on whether the worker is legally allowed to work and stay in the United States. United. The common conception of a maid "living outside" is that they are autonomous and in control of their lives, but in the United States, some women working as "maids" are objectified and treated like a commodity meant to be sold at auction. That women are exploited through middle-of-the-paper employment agencies to help their families back home and improve their own financial situation. Another benefit of working in the UAE is that generosity is a social value in the UAE. Employers tip their employees, give them money to buy gifts and electronics after their contracts are over for their families back home, and domestic workers can travel during the summer with their employer (report of the ILO p. 34). It could be argued that domestic workers in the UAE do indeed have some sense of agency like workers in the United States, but not to the same extent. It can be argued that domestic workers have free will because they had the choice to go to work in the UAE or not and they independently earned money for their families. However, they lack autonomy in terms of freedom of movement, thought and sexuality since they are “slaves” to their employer until the end of their contract...