Personal debt traps pregnant mother

Another tragic debt story has exposed the serious state of finances some UAE expats have borrowed their way into.

According to a news report published today a pregnant mother-of-four faces the prospect of raising her fifth baby behind bars because of debt.

In a report in UAE tabloid 7Days, the woman has managed to mount nearly Dh100,000 in loans and credit card debts, despite earning less than Dh6,000 a month.

She was arrested last month as she tried to board a plane home to the Philippines to have her baby after a bank tried to cash a security cheque as she hadn’t made her repayments.

The 35-year-old spent three weeks in custody, before finally being released last week.

However, she now faces court action and could be jailed again if she cannot repay the money she owes.

The woman, who was not named by the papers, said: “I came here because my house burned down. We had to start again, and had nothing, not even clothes.

“It was really easy before the financial crisis to get credit cards and loans. The agents push you, even if you don’t want it. I’m only human. Money was really tight so I grabbed the chance.

“I thought I would be able to manage the repayment with bonuses and pay increments, but we didn’t get any.”

The woman says she used the cash for her family.

“It’s my priority to look after my family. I did it for my family, I didn’t use it for personal things,” she said. “My husband works in a band three or four times a week, and makes about Dh50 a night. It’s not even enough for a day’s expenses.”

In less than a month she will give birth and is unsure what will happen next: “I think if I get detained again, my baby will be with me. Of course it makes me sad, but I don’t have a choice. I just hope it isn’t long term.”

Forged cheque destroys
an innocent man’s life