International and Domestic Reaction

DOMESTIC

Action taken by Local NGO's:

• Migrant-Rights.org is website with a database that has contact information for different organizations in the Middle East to help abused migrant workers.

• Mafiwasta.com was also set in 2005 focusing on the UAE only, and its mission is to draw attention to migrant worker abuse through the international media.

• City of Hope is a Dubai based organization established by Sharla Musabih. This organization provides refuge and shelter for female victims of domestic violence, trafficking and other abuse.

• Helping Hands UAE, was initiated by Roger & Ellie from England, and they facilitate the donations and distribution of food, clothes and care packs to needy workers and individuals in the UAE.

INTERNATIONAL

Island of Happiness

It is very rare for a day to pass by in the UAE without hearing a tale about the exploitation and abuse of South Asian workers. The international community and many international advocacy groups have criticized the UAE for violating human rights law and the ongoing abuse inflicted on South East Asian workers. The UAE has been using the strategy of promising without delivering to avoid international criticism.

For example, thousands of laborers in the UAE demonstrated against these human rights violations, and in response the UAE Federal Government promised to legalize trade unions. Shortly thereafter the government passed a law forbidding any kind of labor strikes and emphasizing that any strikes that take place will result in the deportation of the laborers.

HRW Highlights Abuse

In 2008, Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) published a report on the abuse and addressed the report to UAE, USA, European Union, Australia, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The UAE criticized HRW’s research methods and failure to acknowledge positive steps taken to improve the conditions of the workers.

Token Measures

• The Construction of the “Island of Happiness” began off the shores of Abu Dhabi in 2009. Major international institutions are being built such as New York University, the Guggenheim museum and Louvre museum.

• Shortly thereafter, HRW published a report acknowledging improvements but noting that abuse and subjugation was still commonplace.

• HRW continued to urge stakeholders in the project – such as the Guggenheim and Louvre Museums and NYU – to obtain guarantees in their contracts that workers rights will be protected.

• As a result of HRW’s lobbying, the Guggenheim took responsibility for laborers employed for the construction of their project.

• Nevertheless, workers continued to be forced into labor to pay off recruiting fees that they paid to be able to migrate and work on the Guggenheim project in Abu Dhab.

• NYU responded by taking responsibility for laborers employed for the NYU Abu Dhabi project and released laborers that were working just to pay off their recruitment debt .

• Amnesty International was also created to provide migrant workers with information about their rights, and it also allows advocates to donate money.

Suffering in Silence

• While praiseworthy, these steps appear isolated and limited to a few high profile institutions.

• Abuse remains widespread and the international community appears unwilling or unable to address the situation.

• While male workers manage to create their own community because they interact with other male workers, female domestic workers on the other hand suffer in silence.

• Over 30,000 women migrate to the UAE every year and suffer in very brutal ways as well. They Face constant physical violence, psychological abu

se, sexual abuse, restrictions on communicating with friends and family and even on leaving the house.

MORE ACTION NEEDED

• • The UAE must take concrete steps to ensure that migrant workers are not exploited.

• It is imperative that countries try harder to educate their citizens about the dangers of working in the UAE before they allow their citizens to leave for employment in the Arabian Gulf region.