Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Human rights group: Dubai Expo 2020 a hotbed for labor exploitation

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 3 Feb 2022 13:26
3 Min Read

A new human rights report details the exploitation of workers in the Gulf countries, particularly migrant workers in Dubai Expo 2020.

  • x
  • Human rights group: Expo 2020 a hotbed of labor exploitation
    The labor practices of the UAE are not a new topic of concern. (Reuters)

According to a new report by a human rights group, migrant workers in the multi-million dollar Dubai Expo 2020 are facing widespread exploitation and racial discrimination.

EquidemOrg, a labor rights consultancy that has previously investigated Expo workers' maltreatment during the epidemic, Tweeted that workers like security guards, bar staff, and cleaners reported paying illegal recruitment fees and have had their passports confiscated and salaries withheld.

"Human rights organisation @EquidemOrg in its latest report points out how racial discrimination at work, forced labour, illegal recruitment fees and migrant exploitation are a few of the ugly practices that line @expo2020dubai" https://t.co/OZvqgibitU

— Equidem.org (@EquidemOrg) February 2, 2022

According to Rory Sullivan for The Independent, interviews with nearly 70 labor workers confirmed that working conditions violated the own laws of the UAE, with illegal practices including retaining passports of employees and withholding wages.

Of those interviewed, 83% had to pay illegal recruitment fees and/or did not receive their full wages owed.

One resident from India who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not fully paid for his work despite receiving assurances from his superiors. He added that employees are "treated like slaves."  Another anonymous worker reported a great deal of racial discrimination in the Expo.

Among those fired, Africans in particular were fired without compensation. According to The Independent, foreigners in the UAE outnumber the local population by nine to one. 

Mustafa Qadri, CEO of Equidem, says there is a great disconnection between the UAE's ambition to be modern and a global country and that if the exploitive practices at Dubai Expo 2020 are so widespread, one must question other forms of exploitation in the Emirates on a larger scale.

Related News

Post-colonial neoliberalism is reshaping Arab cities one by one

Flydubai airline preparing for resumption of flights to Syria

The Abu Dhabi government did not respond to a request for comment according to the Equidem report.

Construction worker deaths at Dubai Expo

In October, the UAE authorities gave conflicting figures over the number of workers killed on-site during the construction of the Dubai Expo 2020. Dubai first said five workers died during the construction and later on changed the toll to three.

Officials also said more than 70 workers sustained severe injuries on the construction site. However, the authorities insisted that the safety standards were "world-class".

Expo 2020 promises fairytale, delivers nightmare to workers

In December, The Washington Post reported that Dubai tainted its seemingly-immaculate image with very ugly poor working conditions.

According to Reuters, the UAE acknowledged in early September that it had detained and deported over 400 people for alleged human trafficking, assault, and extortion.

According to human rights groups, there have been constant violations due to the UAE's labor sponsorship system, which is based on a network of international subcontractors, binds employees' residency to employment, and gives businesses disproportionate authority.

In one case, over 80 individuals shared a single toilet. Many were stripped of passports and documents, rendering them unable to leave.

Insufficient food supply and long working hours were a repeated concern among workers when interviewed by the AP. 

A 40-year-old guard from Kenya says there is "no freedom. Work, sleep, work, sleep. You just need to try to survive one day to another.”

  • Dubai
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Expo 2020

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS