MAC becomes latest company to break ties with Kuwaiti blogger Sondos Al-Qattan

Sondos Al-Qattan, who has 2.3 million followers on Instagram, faced huge backlash for criticizing Kuwait’s new labor law. (Instagram: @sondos_aq)

DUBAI: The fall-out over comments made by Kuwaiti beauty blogger Sondos Al-Qattan continues after another firm fired her over controversial comments made about Filipino domestic workers.
MAC Cosmetics, one of the world’s largest make-up brands said in a statement on Wednesday that it “did not support” Al-Qattan’s beliefs, and would be “ending its relationship” with the make-up blogger.
“We currently do not have any partnerships with her and will no longer be working with her on any brand activities,” the company said.
The statement went on to say that MAC strives “to align ourselves with partners that share our core values and in no way tolerate excluding anyone.”
MAC joins a host of companies, including Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido and South Korean brand Etude House, both of which distanced themselves on Tuesday from the controversial blogger and her comments.
Al-Qattan, who has 2.3 million followers on Instagram, faced huge backlash for criticizing Kuwait’s new labor law.
“All I said was that the employer was entitled to keep the servant’s passport, and that many Kuwaitis and Gulf nationals agree with me,” she said.
“I have the right as a kafil (sponsor) to keep my employee’s passport, and I am responsible for paying a deposit of up to 1,500 dinars (around $4,900),” she said.
Al-Qattan insisted the practices are not an “insult to the employee, and do not concern humanity or human rights because I did not deprive the employee of her salary or beat her.”
“The servant lives in the house just like the owners, he eats the same food, sleeps, rests and goes out shopping... this is a natural right. He’s not like a waiter who works fixed hours, so we give him a weekly leave,” she added.
Al-Qattan’s comments in the now deleted clip sparked outrage on social media, with many Twitter and Instagram users calling on brands that work with the makeup artist to sever ties.