Can’t work. Can’t leave. Relying on charity for food and shelter: The foreigners trapped in Dubai
Sanjit Pruthi paid 80,000 Rupees (£760) in November 2023 to an agency in his native India called Al Shayan.
Pruthi, 27, paid the huge sum because he was promised a job as a computer technician in a Dubai supermarket for a company called Al Adil.
The job paid AED 1200 a month (£258) which compared favourably with Sanjit’s earning potential in his hometown of Mumbai. However when he arrived, Sanjit was told that he would not be doing the job promised, but would be cleaning toilets, loading and unloading tricks, and other general labour. The young Indian refused. “I am an IT specialist and that is my career path,” explains Sanjit. “I didn’t leave home and pay all that money to come here and clean toilets.”
Al Adil refused to give Sanjit his passport back or cancel his visa. Eventually he was able to bribe a member of the Al Adil HR department to give him back his passport. But his troubles were far from over.
“Al Adil filed a police case against me for allegedly breaking the terms of my visa,” says the good natured Sanjit. “And now I am not allowed to work in Dubai, nor am I allowed to leave the country. Luckily it is Ramadan and I am surviving on the free meals given out by various charities. Plus my family at home sends what little money they can, which allows me to share a room with seven other people in Karama (a part of the city populated by low income workers). I have no idea how I will live once the charity and my family’s money runs out.”
Unlike Western countries, the UAE has no minimum wage. Companies can get away with paying the absolute minimum wages required to persuade someone to leave their home country. For Westerners, this can be high wages of many thousands of pounds a month. For the Sanjit Pruthis of this world, it can be a couple of hundred pounds.
This creates a society of “haves” and “have nots”. It has allowed the economy to burgeon, but at the expense of human dignity.
The huge discrepancy in wages is reflected in the way people are treated. With those at the bottom living cramped, miserable lives and treated as merchandise.
“The country has been likened to a slave society,” confirms Radha Stirling, CEO of humanitarian group Detained in Dubai. “No Westerner would think it acceptable to advertise a job in IT, but then tell the candidate they were going to be cleaning toilets when they arrived.
“Sachin left his family and home country for this opportunity. Now he is faced with financial ruin, homelessness and starvation. And according to the Dubai legal system, there is nothing wrong with his situation.”
It is not only labourers and low income residents who risk being trapped in the desert state.
“Anyone who falls foul of the law is given a travel ban until the case is settled,” continues Stirling. “It doesn’t matter what the offence is, if there is a fine involved the person is forbidden to leave the country or to work once their visa runs out. If the victim can’t pay the fine, it doesn’t matter. They have to stay, relying on charity or until theoretically they starve to death.
“We have spoken to many thousands of Westerners since Detained In Dubai’s inception in 2008 who are trapped in this way. Many of them over unpayable debts.”
Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org
Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org
Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com
CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/
Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international
IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts: https://www.ipexreform.com/
Interpol Red Notice https://www.interpolrednotice.com/
Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai
Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews
mail: info@detainedindubai.org / Press queries: press@detainedindubai.org
Phone: +447309114195
WhatsApp: Click here
Mysa Dental Clinic is a reliable and professional dental practice office in the Potranco area in Texas, 78253. As the best dentistry clinic, we have a certified and highly experienced dentist in San Antonio with a proven track record of treating patients.
Root Canal in San Antonio, TX
By sitting in their bedroom, or couch in their living room, students can pursue any online course, or attend an online class.Yet, with exceptional opportunities for learning and providing students with novel study options, online courses and associated activities like online classes, online exams, and online coursework possess some exclusive challenges as well. Often it has been observed that even after pursuing their preferred course online, students are not able to Online Classes With Perfection perform per the standards. This blog, ideated and written by the experts at take my class for me, will point out ways to avoid such challenges and best practices to manage online classes with perfection. Using a credential provided by the school or college, students…
Portland Dental, located in Portland, TX, delivers exceptional dental care with a patient-centered approach. Specializing in services such as dental crowns, bridges, veneers, and teeth cleaning, their skilled team is dedicated to providing comprehensive care in a friendly environment. Portland Dental strives to enhance oral health and create beautiful, lasting smiles for every patient.
dentures in Portland Tx
For students seeking academic help New Assignment Help company in United States is a fantastic option. Their team of experienced writers delivers high-quality, well-researched assignments that meet academic standards. I appreciate their attention to detail and timely delivery, making them a dependable choice. The service is easy to use, and the results are always impressive.
DoMyOnlineClass123 is a pioneering Pay Someone To Do My Online Class Help service, and we have been taking online classes and exams for students in the USA for 12 years. We offer 60% off on your first order and even have a money-back guarantee for your satisfaction. Whether you need help with online assignments, homework, quizzes, exams, or entire courses, we are your one-stop solution.