For Many Migrants, the United Arab Emirates is Not What It Seems, pt. 2

Continued from part 1.

The global economic recession and deflation in oil and natural gas prices substantially slowed the UAE’s economic growth. As the country’s energy industry suffered, so did its urban development – approximately 45% of construction workers were laid off. (Agence France-Presse) In addition, many maids and nannies were laid off in to attempts to save money. As of now, thousands of Filipino migrants are jobless in the UAE. These unemployed immigrants cannot find new jobs unless their old contracts are terminated – a process that takes weeks. (Agence France-Presse) Most Filipinos wish to return home, but have insufficient funds and no passports to travel with. These workers are now living off little to nothing as vagrants in slums, without their families or freedom.

The UAE has a bad track record of supporting immigrant workers – beforehand, only a few laborers received aid out of the thousands that requested it. (Migrant Rights) In addition, not many immigrant-protective laws existed – not even a minimum wage policy. In response to the UAE’s dearth of help towards immigrants, philanthropic groups such as the Center for Migrant Advocacy have taken matters into their own hands – usually by aiding migrant workers to retrieve their passports or helping negotiate debts to employers. These organizations also have lobbied for the government to address the dire situation at hand. (Center for Migrant Advocacy) As a result, the UAE is attempting to place new immigrant-beneficial policies into effect - such as quicker employment contract terminations. (Ross) In the April of 2009, the government of the UAE presented their goal of providing 200,141 new jobs for Filipino immigrants to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – the president of the Philippines. (Libo-on) Macapagal-Arroyo and her government claim to be working with the UAE to introduce “immigrant-friendly laws” – however, both governments do not provide clear information surrounding these new policies. Even though the UAE and the Philippines seem to be trying to aid unemployed immigrants, no significant changes in their lifestyles are visible. (Migrant Rights)

The UAE is being denounced by countless humanitarian organizations and migrant rights advocates for claiming to help immigrants, but not creating any real improvements in the immigrant’s lifestyles. Johann Hari, a freelance journalist, claims that the mass layoff of immigrant workers is similar to what occurred to African slaves centuries before, who worked in harsh conditions and then were left in destitution with no opportunities to go home. He even labels the UAE as a “slave society.” However, the UAE defends these layoffs. Khalfan Al-Kaabi, a member of Abu Dhabi’s chamber of commerce, claimed that, “It is only but natural for the industry to cut those jobs.” (Agence France-Presse) In addition, The Human Rights Watch (an international welfare group) criticizes the country for “not taking any steps to put an end to [passport confiscation].” However, the Philippines has not been criticized by any philanthropic organizations as of yet, as the UAE has more responsibility over the situation, and thus, more liability.

Continued in For Many Migrants, the United Arab Emirates is Not What It Seems, pt. 3: http://current.com/items/91979053_for-many-migrants-the-united-arab-emirates-is-...