As many expatriate families in the UAE grapple with reduced wages and unpaid leave following recent geopolitical tensions, one business owner has stepped in with a personal initiative aimed at offering immediate relief.
Maria Paz Banaag-Marquez, 59, who runs a well-established pastry chain across the UAE, has announced the distribution of free grocery packets to support struggling residents. Speaking to Khaleej Times, she said the idea came after noticing a growing number of customers facing financial hardship. “Our customers aren’t just Filipino; we serve many nationalities. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of forced leave cases and unpaid leaves among my customers. I wondered how I could help them, and I decided to provide grocery support to at least a few people,” she said.
