Topic: The Dark Side of Dubai

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Totally agree. Very well put.

cheers
Harvey

Thank you Harvey. I can dispense with my tin hat which I had ready, just in case. Jx

QUOTE:

Forgive me but I'm always amazed when information like this proves so astonishing. Dubai is a country which in a generation has, thanks to oil production, evolved from a desert kingdom ruled by tribal leaders with no formal education, to a wealthy [?] desert kingdom ruled by tribal leaders whose rule of government is firmly entrenched in Sharia law. Sharia law can be, to non Muslims, very unforgiving and I'm sorry, but it's a fool who takes on a job/the ex-pat lifestyle in the UAE without giving this any thought. The same goes for the tourist/visitor. Conform or suffer the consequences. No quarter will be given.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Harsh, but true.

Nicely put Morton, I think the later reference " It was originally in the Independent in April '09. It does make for interesting but depressing reading." say's it all. As said by another of your supporters, I have stayed in Dubai on three occasions and on each of those it has been fabulous, particularly the 'Burj Al Arab' and 'The Jumeirah Beach'.

I don't think anyone is disputing that the hotels, shopping malls etc are 'fabulous'.....rather they are questioning at what cost to the Asian workers who were promised so much at the outset and ended up being treated as slaves with no escape...no passports...no money...and even if they could return to their home country they would then be hounded to repay the money they borrowed to go to Dubai in the first place....
It is a sad situation and one that is hidden from the tourists who visit Dubai and marvel at the 'fabulousness' of the place....

That must be a record for the longest post.;)
I too have printed it off it shows another side to the “Dubai dream”
And confirms the old saying if it looks to good it probably is. :o

Very interesting article indeed and makes you think that all that glitters is not gold! HMM!

Many of my friends have visited Dubai. I have toyed with the idea but haven't really fancied it as there doesn't seem to be any indigenous culture or history to make it really interesting to me. After your article, I think I can put it of in place of some of the other places I have not yet visited.

Thanks again!

What a load of overhyped rubbish. Dubai is not perfect but in 15 years here I have never come across a westen expat mistreating their home help. And contrary to the assertions in this article, employers holding the passports of their employees is not common- it is infact, illegal.

The Ethopian maid who could not get her passport back from her Australian employers? Really, if that is the case why didn't her consulate issue her with a new one? Why didn't she make a police complaint about the alleged bashing? Last I looked the Dubai police were taking no prisoners in prosecuting such crimes (check last weeks Gulf News for one example). If there are excesses these are not condoned. Compulsory registered employment contracts setting out minimum employment standards for home help are required. Refusing to pay ones' staff is illegal.

As for labourers only having an hour off a day in the summer heat- in Dubai all contractors are obliged to stop work for 3 hours in the middle of the day during the summer months. Failure to do so results in fines, and if violations continue, a loss of operating licence.

No doubt there are plenty of silly tarts thronging the bars and talking rubbish like those "interviewed " for this piece, but why is it now considered gospel by so many of those posting here? It seems Dubai bashing has become a new sort of sport.

Dubai has its short comings like any big and growing city; it is a cultural melting pot and living here as a westerner can be challenging. It is also a fascinating, vibrant, can do place with great architecture, beautiful beaches, safe neighbourhoods, fantastic restaurants and bars and a unique cultural mix. Where else in the Middle East even comes close?

None of this came as a surprise to me. I live in the Philippines and the stories from returning workers of unscrupulous recruiting agencies, unpaid salaries, confiscated passports, beatings, and general enslavement are legendary, not just in Dubai, but all middle eastern countries.

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None of this came as a surprise to me. I live in the Philippines and the stories from returning workers of unscrupulous recruiting agencies, unpaid salaries, confiscated passports, beatings, and general enslavement are legendary, not just in Dubai, but all middle eastern countries.

I suspect you are right. I note that Jameria of Dubai is new to this forum and it was her/his first post on the forum. Is 'someone' watching? Spooky!!

Did 1 week stay & 1 week cruise in Feb 2009 - Dubai amazing place, loads to see & do. Beautiful beach, amazing shopping Malls, fascinating Souks, friendly people. Met Sri Lankan worker who said conditions OK., sends money home to support family, lives reasonable life.
Who are we cruisers to criticise the concept of workers away from home for long periods on minimum pay in Dubai, & then support similar conditions on some Cruise Ships ?