ABU DHABI (Parliament Politics Magazine): According to a human rights group, security guards, cleaners, and hospitality personnel at Dubai’s Expo 2020 in the UAE are reportedly working in extremely abusive conditions which possibly means forced labour.
Migrant employees at the international exhibition in the UAE, which is finally taking place after being postponed by Covid, claim they faced racial discrimination, had their passports confiscated and wages withheld and were forced to pay unlawful recruitment fees according to the Equidem report.
Expo 2020, called the “world’s greatest show,” will feature 192 national pavilions demonstrating cutting-edge technology and sustainability. The fair’s organisers anticipate 25 million visitors during its run, which begins in October 2021 and continues to March of 2022.
The event has drawn major corporate sponsors, international celebrities such as will.i.am, and social media influencers, with attendees promising the “next wave of human brilliance.”
However, according to Equidem’s research, there is a substantial mismatch between the Emirate’s declared ambition to be a modern, international state and the reality of racial discrimination and forced labour practises faced by migrant workers.
It claims that the UAE’s apparent failure at protection of migrant workers tarnished the reputation of participating countries and businesses.
“The entire international community is complicit in the exploitation at the Expo. It’s a scandal,” said Mustafa Qadari, Equidem’s director.
In the private sector of UAE, migrant labourers, mostly from the Indian subcontinent and portions of Africa, account for more than 90% of the workforce.
More than half of the 69 workers who were interviewed for the survey admitted to paying recruitment fees in their home countries to acquire their positions. Many employees said their bosses were aware of the practice but did nothing to stop it or repay the payments. Workers are frequently in debt as a result of the practice, which is banned in the UAE.
Two-thirds of migrant workers polled said that their wages or other benefits weren’t necessarily paid in full or on time, leaving them unable to pay their bills or send money to their families at home.
One hospitality worker stated they were promised a raise after they completed their probation – something they have yet to see… the employer has never paid them for working overtime… the employees are treated like slaves, is modern-day slavery.
Almost every employee stated that their employer held their passports . While the majority indicated they could get them back upon request, the technique is unlawful and can be used by some businesses to keep their employees under control.
Despite requests from Expo management to release workers’ passports, one worker claimed that his employer kept his passport. “The firm made us sign a form stating that we had obtained our passport,” he explained. To tell the truth, it’s still in our accommodation camp’s office.”
The UAE government and participating countries have been warned on numerous occasions about the dangers of labour abuse at the Expo.
Human Rights Watch described the Expo as an opportunity for the UAE to “falsely promote itself on the world stage as open, tolerant, and rights-respecting while shutting down the space for politics, public conversation, and activism,” according to a report published in October. “Avoid contributing to UAE authorities’ efforts to hide its atrocities,” the rights organisation warned countries and corporations.
Repeated Requests for comment from the UAE government and Expo 2020 went unanswered. “We are devoted to the health, safety, welfare, and dignity of all workers,” a statement said on the Expo 2020 website. It says that working and housing circumstances are regularly inspected to ensure that workers’ welfare standards are met.
