UAE | Employment

60 workers live in a 17 by 11-metre room

With no bathroom, they take a shower in the open using a hose that is fitted to a tap located near a toilet.

  • By Sunita Menon, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • A 30-bunk bed workers accommodation in Jebel Ali. Workers complain of a daily struggle to take a bath, as they endure a long wait for their turn.
  • Image Credit: Sunita Menon/Gulf News

Dubai: Sixty workers are living in a room measuring about 17 by 11 metres at a labour accommodation in Jebel Ali.

The workers lived in a worker's accommodation in Al Quoz but that closed down and they were moved to the current location two weeks ago.

The room has 30 bunk beds and eight air-conditioners of which just three work. Sixty workers use three toilets.

With no bathroom facilities, the workers take a shower in the open using a hose that is fitted to a tap located outside a toilet. Food is prepared individually in a common kitchen.

The workers said they could not bear these conditions anymore. They are also afraid that management of the accommodation will be upset if workers are caught telling their stories.

"Our labour card will be confiscated if our camp boss catches anyone of us talking about the matter," said one worker. "We tried to live in that room, but we cannot take it any longer. We feel cramped," said one worker.

"A few days ago when some of our colleagues raised this issue with our supervisor, who instead of making things right for us, asked them to surrender their labour cards. We dare not raise the subject again," said a worker.

They said there was a race in the morning to get to the toilets. "Most of us relieve ourselves in the vast sandy patch that lies at the back of the labour accommodation. What else can we do?" said a labourer.

Gulf News tried to get in touch with the managament of the labour accommodation, but officials were unavailable.


Your comments


This is a long standing problem and yet nothing is done to curb this sheer exploitation of workers. when are the people going to wake up and do something about it?
Shoba
Sharjah,Dubai

This is just one example. Most of the poor people live in similar conditions. If nothing is done then soon you will see 10-15 families living in single room ? and this in a city that boasts the tallest towers.
Amir
Dubai,UAE

We can't blame the employers for this matter, because they are not fully aware that they are doing wrong. The matter could be corrected if people are willing to take necessary action.
Kusmana
Abu Dhabi,UAE

You constantly hear people boasting about the UAE having the biggest or tallest. Well, how are many of those things being achieved? Through exploitation, dehumanisation and oppression. People should know that those workers cannot afford to go back to their country. Some will get arrested, fined and imprisoned for breaking their contract or absconding. Sooner or later the world is going know about the dirty secret behind this so called 'success'.
Dore
New York,USA

These types of situations are common here, but most companies do little or nothing to fix it.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE

Food, medicine and a good place to sleep: these three things are required most for a human being, so the the government should take strict measures to ensure the employers provide these three things for their workers.
T.P Abdulla
Dubai,UAE

I think strict actions should be taken against the employer who must also be given a huge fine.
Shehan
Colombo,Sri Lanka

Economic depravity in their countries force these people to migrate to richer nations. This tragic fact is exploited by certain ruthless people to their own ends.
Madhav
Coimbatore,India

The government should cancel the license of companies tha maltreat their people. It is not fair to make the workers slave; we need to move forward not backward in our actions.
Aditi
Jaipur,India

These labourers have a very low quality of life already and to take advantage of this is immoral. Employers should improve facilities.
Osman
Dubai,UAE

May God punish those employers severely. This is all we can say because no action is being taken. May God also punish those peolpe who watch and stay queit.
Maysa
Dubai,Samha

As far as I know, a lot of labourers suffer in this kind of inhumane way here in the UAE. It would be better to stop getting workers from other countries and let UAE nationals do the job.
Denz
Abu Dhabi,UAE

It is completely unacceptable to allow employees, who essentially help the business unit meet its objectives, treat them in this irresponsible way. This is modern day slavery and it?s about time companies start treating employees as assets and not objects.
Diego
Dubai,UAE

It is truly inhumane. The authorities should take necessarry action againt it. It is not going to stop like this.
Niyaz
Abudhabi,UAE

In Deira, I have seen hundreds of rooms with such a situation. Rents are unimaginably high, and people with a low salary cannot get any humane accommodation anymore. It is very normal to have 13-17 people in one room with only one a/c, and one toilet.
Waseem
Dubai,UAE

The management should try to put themseves in that situation to see if they can survive for a few days. We're all humans. The management should be punished.
Ben
Sharja,UAE

The property rents in the UAE are much higher than any other part of the world. A villa in London costs 1.5lakh Pounds (AED9.0lakhs), wheras to own a villa in Dubai (Arabian Ranches) it is AED 36lakhs. Dubai is four times more expensive than London in terms of property ownership/rent. This is certainly a way of exploiting foreigners here.
Biju
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Living costs are so high in the UAE and landlords enjoy the benefits. We cannot complain about compainies which provide such accomodation. The root causes of such situation are the hiked up land prices and other costs which makes it difficult for companies to survive in the UAE market. It's a problem of Macro Economy Crises.
Mohammed
Sharjah,UAE

Dubai is known as the city of gold but the workers who work hard to make it so are living in such bad conditions. Thanks Gulf News for bringing the hidden truth to the world.
Nazib
Abu dhabi,UAE

This is one black spot on the UAE's image. I hope authorities are very well aware of such things and will take drastic action against such companies.
Anand
Muscat,Oman

It is a sad reality here in Dubai. Everybody seems to be busy enriching themselves and there are times they forget the value of others as human.
Romeo
Dubai,UAE

Thanks to the Gulf News for this report. Even the concerned authorities will not take strong steps against this cruelty. Still we all hope these people will be considered in the future - otherwise it will be a black mark on UAE's total development.
Sin
Dubai,UAE

If the powers that be are submitted to the same living conditions it would be interesting to see how this sort of 'slave labor' continues. Heart wrenching indeed.
Ali
Doha,Qatar

This is a real shame for Dubai as a famous city. Treat them as human beings. They struggle to build the country so they should at least be helped in this matter.
Blanche
Dubai,UAE

This is absolutely ridiculous. What if we were in such a situation? Someone should really do something about it, otherwise the labour force will have a bad impression about the "working" conditions in the UAE market.
Deepak
New Hampshire,USA

This is a perfect example of how rich countries exploit poor labourers. Job well done!
Sameer
Woodbridge,USA

European Union law requires that animals raised for slaughter be provided with a certain amount of space. I once won a case because my white-collar office was smaller than the EU space mandated for a bull pen. What is happening here with these poor labourers is inhumane. Influential and rich people abroad are watching what Dubai will do to fix this.
Helmut
Dubai,UAE

These workers live in much worse conditions in their native countries. They would not be here if it was better for them to be back home.
Ahmed
Abu Dhabi,UAE

It should stop now. Otherwise people will think twice about coming to Dubai. This will definitely effect the growth of Dubai in the long term, if immediate steps are not taken.
Adwait
Dubai,UAE

it seems very bad especially for a country like the UAE. Stern action should be taken against employers so that other companies will stop this kind of practice.
Waheed
Peshawar,Pakistan

It is inhumane. Employers should be fined.
Aslam
Dubai,UAE

The changes should come from each man. The new labour minister is doing a good job and more enlightenment is required among employers.
Akbar
Dubai,UAE

These people are human. This should be addressed immediately by the concerned authorities. There is no use in alerting the employers because they will cover-up their doings. We hope someone acts on this. Expats contribute to Dubai?s name as the tourist destination of the world.
Antonio
Dubai,UAE

I'm not surprised at all. Just outside my apartment in Sharjah, nearly 100 people live in a villa. When I checked with one of the guys who cleans my car, he said most share the apartment, some sleep in the mornings and some sleep in the night. And yes it's horrible for those poor people who live in that condition and these people sometimes make the neighbours lives horrible too.
Faiz
Sharjah,UAE

This is ridiculous. Poor people work all day and need a peaceful sleep and food in the evening. The authorities just turn a blind eye. These workers build not only skyscapers, but the nation too. Think and take action.
Kumar
Sharjah,Indian

In some areas of Abu Dhabi, you will find workers living in pathetic conditions. If someone goes to Mussafah, it is worse than the Dharavi slums of Bombay. But sponsers have kept them under constant threat of getting their visas cancelled and sending them home. Can anyone do something?
Sriniwas
Hyderabad,India

It is very sad to hear such stories from one of the best countries.
Abdul Rasheed
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Shame on them! The good thing is this bubble will burst someday very soon and it shall hit hard on those commiting these grave acts!! Just a matter of time!!
Assad
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Employers should look into the welfare of their workers. These are human beings, not animals. Let's say you(employer) were in their situation. What you feel?
Chris
Dubai,UAE

Authorities need to check labour camps frequently in order to make sure that basic amenities are provided for workers by their employers. In such situations, the labourers do not need to complain directly to the authorities and they can avoid employers ire.
Pankaj
Dubai,UAE

It is so sad to see this kind of thing happen in a country like the UAE.
Asif
Dubai,UAE

Instead of feeling sympathy, we have to think seriously about how to solve these problems. The only way to stop this type of problem is to CANCEL THE LICENSE of that company.
Uma
Dubai,UAE

Government officials and the management should definitely do something for these workers. They are helpless. The workforce is essential for a country like UAE.
Dev
Sharjah,UAE

The company should provide the employees with good and relaxing accomodation.
Shiela
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Congratulations Gulf News for printing the story, hopefully the authorities will take care of it.
Sayed
Dubai,UAE

This is just one example out of hundreds. There are many more labour camps. I think this happens only here in Dubai.
Sadiq
Dubai,UAE

The managers for such companies are criminals and should be punished more severely than a person caught stealing or caught taking drugs.
Ejaz
Dubai,UAE

I would ask the boss of this company to stay with the workers in this room for one day so he knows how hard life is for these poor people.
Ahmed
Sharjah,UAE

Cheap manpower and very high selling prices equal HUGE profits. That might sound nice in a business school, but in the real life of Dubai, this is nothing but slavery.
Jean-Jacques
Dubai,UAE

Action should be taken action such companies.
Abdul
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE

Even if the government intervenes and takes actions against the employers, ultimately the employees will be still be affected.
Sundhar
Dubai,UAE

This sort of inhuman treatment towards the labour force in the UAE by the cruel employers will really become a black mark in the fame of the UAE.
Sajan
Dubai,UAE

Just a handful of employers are damaging the image of the UAE. I pledge the authorities to take strict action which will be an example for other employers
Maurice
Ras Al Khaimah,UAE

There are many many similar cases all around UAE where labourers are suffering due to non-coperation from employers.
Mario
Dubai,UAE

Everyone writes to Gulf News, "the authorities should..." Blah after blah and another blah! Has anything happened? Evil is evil, and it will be evil every time!
Helen
Sharjah,UAE

Everyone knows the condition of low class workers in UAE, so why are they still moving to the UAE? They could live a happy life in their home country if they do a little more hard work, which wouldn't matter as they could live with their loved ones. If they are not comfortable in the UAE, they should immediately go back to their home country.
Saleemuddin
Hyderabad,India

The situation is even worse - add the "bed-bug" factor to hundreds of such stories in the UAE.
Saif
Sharjah,UAE

Dubai has two faces: one is in the eye of the world, as a modern city and the other is very painful and exploits the labourers.
Mateen
Abu Dhabi,UAE

The workers are helpless. Proper action should be taken against the company management. Please be aware of the exploitation of labourers.
Ashraf
Dubai,UAE

As the company owners and authorised inspectors live in good facilities and luxury they don't want to visit their workers and see the suffering.
Mohammed
India,India

It is a shame. The employers are taking the advantage of such helpless people, who are afraid of losing their jobs if they raise their voices.
Syed
Sharjah,UAE

Sickening, disgusting and just malicious! Everytime I read about a new jaw-dropping, out-of-this-world project in Dubai, I get a slap on the face to wake me up with a little piece of news like this.
Kareem
Alexandria,Egypt

Hope somebody from the concerned authorities will take initiative to wipe out such inhuman practice from a modern countries like UAE.
Aslam
Dubai,UAE

This is just another story in the gross violation of rights of Indians and people from the subcontinent.
Abhinav
Dubai,UAE

These managers only are what they are because of the labourers.
Preetusumi
Dubai,UAE

Most shameful. Labourers here are treated almost like animals or slaves.
Hala
Dubai,UAE

This is just the sheer failure of the management. It shows the failure of the general manager/manager of the company.
GK
Sharjah,UAE

Please Dubai authorities - do something and don't allow employers to exploit workers. These workers are helpless but they are essential for nation building.
Bernadith
Dubai,UAE

Authorities need to look into issues like this and should not allow these kinds of exploitations in this county.
Gopakumar
Sharjah,UAE

Authorities need to visit all labour camps. They need to check beds, toilets and other essentials.
Vincy
Dubai,UAE

I know of a company where there are only two toilets for 76 workers in a compound - can you believe it?!
Mahesh
Sharjah,Dubai

This is horrible. These workers cannot raise their voice against the management due to fear of losing their job. They are helpless until we help them get justice.
Lodhi
Dubai,UAE

It is a shame. These labourers build famous properties like Burj Dubai, Burj Al Arab, worth millions of dirhams and still have to be discriminated by their employers.
Clyde
Dubai,UAE

I believe that any business must have a conscience too. I suggest that the HR people should be the first one to look into the welfare of the employees and make the management realise that employees are not slaves - they are human beings who need proper shelter.
John
Dubai,UAE

The employers don't treat labourers well. If the authorities will not take any action this will continue.
Biju
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Why do people do this to other human beings? I hope the authorities will take a stern action against such practices.
Jacob
Dubai,UAE

It is inhuman. The Ministry of Labour should take action.
Carol
Dubai,UAE

The labour force is being mistreated. This will definitely tarnish the UAE's image globally, specially in the eyes of human rights organisations.
Qureshi
Sharjah,UAE

The management should be punished. Companies should have a heart and take care of these people.
Joey
Dubai,UAE

It seems unhumane. The government should take care of this and make regular inspections of labour accomodations. If they find violations, they should issue warnings and huge fines.
Aladin
Dubai,UAE

Shocking truth.
Asim
Dubai,UAE

This story is only one example. There are other instances where employers take advantage of their employees.
Uday
Sharjah,UAE

It is so sad to hear that even after so many articles in newspapers, not much has been done to solve this problem.
Tamim
Sharjah,UAE

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from UAE Employment

  1. Firms warned over salaries

  2. Maid visa deposit amount reduced

  3. 500 Emiratis blacklisted for six months

  4. No such thing as beauty treatment for salon staff

All articles in Employment

More from UAE

Gulf News
Popular in UAE
Readers' pictures
Your pictures

Readers' pictures

The best reader pictures from around the UAE this week

Latest news
Community Reports

More from Community Reports

Weather

More from Weather