Yahoo News 
Family gets blame for OAP attack, minister says worker ‘should have been monitored’
The UAE Minister of Social Affairs has criticised the family of an 80-year-old man beaten by his domestic worker, accusing them of negligence.
Mariam Al Roumi condemned the attacks on the elderly man by a 20-year-old houseboy, who was employed to take care of him in Dibba, Fujairah. As reported in 7DAYS on Wednesday, the houseboy was caught on CCTV beating the old man with a stick over a period of four months.
But Al Roumi said responsibility for the crime also lies with the elderly man’s family.
“To leave the elderly person with a worker whose culture and values differ from ours is the core of the problem,” said Al Roumi. “The lack of monitoring the worker and not making sure that he is treating the elderly man well has pushed the worker not only to deal with him in harsh and abusive manner, but also assault him physically.”
The worker also kicked the man and tried to strangle him, police said. He reportedly ate the man’s food and stabbed him with a fork, police added. Officers believe the beatings had been dished out regularly for about a month before they were caught on camera.
“All this happened when his family did not pay attention to him,” said Al Roumi. She added that the ministry is drawing up a law that aims to protect elderly residents’ rights and guard against abuse. It is expected to be finalised in the second half of this year.
wafa.issa@7days.ae
Houseboy admits beating up ‘demanding’, elderly employer after being caught on CCTV
Woman in dock over fatal beating of employee made to look like suicide
