UAE residents who faced weight-based discrimination when applying for a job speak out.
Ihtisham Khalid, 19, from Pakistan, recent school graduate:
“I have experienced discrimination because of my weight back in school and even on promotional jobs where the staff shirts couldn’t fit me and I was called names for being big. I weighed 140kg at that point and faced a lot of negativity in my life. I was bullied in school and even when I applied for part-time jobs, I was told I was not fit enough to handle the position. Often, I heard people talk about me and say there will be no future for me because of the way I look. My peers told me I needed a bigger chair to sit in class, but in the end, I decided to change my life and prove myself to others.
“I lost 40kg as a reaction to all those degrading words I used to hear from people daily. Now I weigh 88kg and it has helped boost my confidence a lot. My face changed, I don’t have to struggle to find clothes that fits my size and I have a better personality. In the past, it was embarrassing to live within a society that perceives fat people as something unacceptable. Because of all the negative things that I experienced, I was frustrated. I concentrated on going to the gym and dieting and I easily lost weight.
“I noticed that in society, you have to go with what people like. I love food, but I had to control myself. Now people don’t have anything [negative] to talk about and they respect me. I can take photos without feeling embarrassed [about my weight]. People will always have something to talk about when you are fat. I think that had I stayed overweight, I would have had less chances of getting the job I want.”
Poorani Gunasekaran, 28, Indian, electrical engineer and a mother:
“I have always faced discrimination for being fat (88kg), not only at the workplace, but in shopping malls, among friends, relatives, and on many other occasions. Despite excelling at my previous job as a business development head and achieving my target, my former boss constantly made comments about my weight and how being slimmer was going to help me get more clients. Even though I got criticised, I chose to focus on my work and my abilities rather than have these comments affect me. It’s never been about physical appearance. It’s about our knowledge, communication skills, politeness, and kindness with customers. This is why I believe discrimination in the workplace does exist, even between colleagues. In the past, I have heard remarks like she needs a bigger chair in the workstation.
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“It’s also a social dilemma. The way people look at us is different. I was once shopping and the lady working at the store said they didn’t have clothes that would fit me. Her comments were very upsetting. We shouldn’t be treated differently. We are humans. If I wear an outfit that’s a bit tight, I will be pointed at, but this is the way my body is and it doesn’t mean I’m unhealthy.
“However, I don’t allow these things to disrupt my life. Society puts a lot of pressure on individuals like us and many people end up falling into depression. Change should start from within the society, and people should teach their children to not classify people based on weight. To stop this criticism, each individual should contribute to this change starting with themselves.”
Amelia M., 32, from Kenya, is currently working as a salesperson in an insurance firm:
“I have faced a lot of discrimination when looking for a job because employers believe an overweight person can’t do the job well, especially in customer service. I felt very offended once when the interviewer judged my sales abilities because of the way I look. She actually told me that the uniforms would not look good on me and they were looking for someone more presentable. Even if I’m not in the right shape, I told her I’m flexible and I can stand for longer than she can. I’m an active and healthy person despite being a little overweight. I can do everything a normal person can do, my weight doesn’t stop me from doing any task.
“I became obese at 22 because I suffer from Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS). This condition makes it very hard for a person to lose weight because of the cysts that control the hormone and insulin in the body. Even when I exercise, it’s hard for me to lose weight, but it has not been because of a bad diet or anything. It’s a condition that is affecting my weight. When I first came to Dubai, I weighed 106kg. This was in 2012. But from that time, I have shed weight but I’m still in the 90-kilo range.
“Socially, we also face discrimination. Of course, it’s been there all along [the discrimination] and people often look down on you. In my hometown, people don’t mind it, but here people, tend to keep away. A friend of my colleague once told her to not include me in their beach plan because she thought It would be embarrassing if I came wearing a bikini and took pictures with them. It’s been very hard, but you learn to live with it.”
This article has been adapted from its original source.
