Migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates
As a result of the proximity of the UAE to South Asia and a better economy and job opportunities, most of the migrant foreign workers are from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines and Pakistan.
A new work permit is also issued if it is determined that the employer has failed to meet the legal and contractual obligations, including but not limited to failure to pay wages for more than 60 days.
[19] As of August 2019, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship issued a new family sponsorship policy that permits UAE residents to sponsor dependents based on their income, not their job titles.
In January 2016, a ministerial decree, the first of its kind in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, was issued in order to protect low-paid migrant workers from becoming forced laborers.
[24] The DCT or Democracy Centre for Transparency released a report in April 2021 citing the discrimination faced by foreign workers and expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates.
The report focuses on the fact that despite the easing of the Kafala system in 2020 as part of labor reforms, some substantial gaps remain in the implementation and enforcement of the legal efforts introduced in exchange by the government.
The social hierarchy in combination with the Kafala system and the exclusionary citizenship law has led to the non-UAE nationals facing racialization, discrimination on the basis of gender, wages, and obtaining promotions.
[25] [26] Migrant workers in the UAE were seen working hard in the dangerous hot weather and humidity at the facilities that were being prepared for the COP28 climate conference, on two separate days in September 2023.
FairSquare, human rights research and advocacy, obtained proof that more than a dozen migrant workers from Africa and Asia were working outside in temperatures hitting 42C in Dubai, despite a “midday ban”.
[28] Migrants, mostly of South Asian origin, constitute the majority of the UAE’s workforce[29] and have reportedly been subject to a range of human rights abuses.
[31] Although racial discrimination is prohibited by UAE law, there are some incidents where individuals have been ill-treated on the basis of their nationality or race by employers.
[32] Neha Vora, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Lafayette College, said the challenges faced by immigrants are not particular to the Gulf region but suggest "broader trends in contemporary global mobility and capitalism.”[43] In October 2014, Human Rights Watch estimated that there were 146,000 female migrant domestic workers in the UAE whose work visa was sponsored by employers in the UAE.
In an interview with 99 female domestic workers, HRW listed abuses claimed by their interviewees: most had their passports confiscated by their employers; in many cases, wages were not fully paid, overtime (up to 21 hours per day) was required, or food, living conditions or medical treatment was insufficient.
[45] The Guardian has shared the interviews and documents describing the situation of women who search for job as domestic workers in the UAE.
The report revealed that these women are sold to household employers over online applications and social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
