Dubai is known for its skyscrapers, artificial islands and rapid economic growth, yet behind this image lies a system built on severe human rights abuses. Migrant workers from South Asia form the backbone of the city’s construction boom, and many report conditions that amount to modern slavery. Long hours, withheld wages and confiscated passports are routine. This article examines how Dubai’s growth has been fuelled by exploitation and why the Kafala system continues to trap workers in dangerous and degrading conditions.
History of Dubai
In the mid 18th century, Dubai was a small village with relative wealth from its pearl industry. After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1971, oil was discovered and provided Dubai’s ruling sheikhs with enormous fortunes. Between 2000 and 2005, Dubai’s GDP grew by 13 per cent per year, and today only 5 per cent of its population is comprised of locals.
Dubai remains one of the fastest-growing economies, driven by trade, investment and tourism. In 2019, travel and tourism contributed AED 180.4 billion to the UAE’s GDP, equivalent to 11.6 per cent of the total.
Road to Growth: The Human Cost
Dubai’s rapid expansion relies heavily on migrant labour. According to the Government of Dubai Statistics Centre, 96 per cent of its employed population is made up of immigrant workers. Most are recruited from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka through agencies that promise salaries of USD 300 per month, food and accommodation and standard working hours.
Workers often take out loans to pay visa fees, despite UAE law requiring recruitment agencies to cover these costs. Upon arrival, they discover that the promises made to them were false.
Many report working 14 hours per day for 6 or 7 days per week in temperatures reaching 50°C. Although UAE law requires sufficient breaks, health and safety violations are widespread. Workers describe deaths from heat exhaustion, overwork and suicide.
In 2005, Dubai’s government reported only 39 worker deaths across all nationalities. The Indian consulate recorded 971 deaths that same year, including 61 registered accidents. This discrepancy indicates significant oversight by Dubai authorities.
Living Conditions
Human Rights Watch describes worker accommodation as “less than humane”. Shanty towns on the outskirts of Dubai house up to 10 men per room with no ventilation and 1 outdoor bathroom for up to 45 men. Sewage systems are broken, and basic utilities are inadequate.
An undercover reporter from Vice found that workers lacked clean water and gas for cooking. Many reported illness from drinking contaminated water and surviving on diets consisting mainly of rice and potatoes.
Workers’ passports are confiscated, and wages are rarely honoured. Most receive USD 175 per month, and this salary is often withheld for several months to prevent workers from leaving. Many spend years repaying recruitment loans before they can send money home.
Unionising is forbidden. Without passports, workers cannot leave the country.
The Kafala System
The Kafala system underpins Dubai’s labour market. It allows private citizens and companies to control migrant workers rather than the government. It forbids unionising, collective bargaining, striking and protesting.
Workers sign contracts they often do not understand. These contracts frequently differ from what they were promised in their home countries.
The UAE Labour Law website acknowledges that the Kafala system places workers in vulnerable situations where they are dependent on employers, leading to exploitation and abuse with little ability to seek assistance.
Women in Domestic Labour
Female migrant workers face similar exploitation. Many work as domestic maids for wealthy Emirati families. Their employment and residency are tied to a specific employer, leaving them vulnerable to abuse.
Passports are confiscated upon arrival. Women who report physical or sexual abuse are often charged with running away or breaching contract. Those forced into prostitution receive little protection because anti trafficking and anti prostitution laws are rarely enforced.
Possible Reforms
Nicholas Cooper argues that stronger enforcement of human trafficking laws is essential. He recommends:
- Formal procedures for identifying victims
- Training for law enforcement and labour officials
- Public education on recognising signs of trafficking
- Protection for victims who report crimes
He emphasises that victims must not be punished for unlawful acts committed as a result of trafficking.
How This Affects You
In 2019, 1.2 million British tourists travelled to Dubai. British tourism drives demand for luxury construction projects, which in turn fuels the exploitation of migrant workers.
Reports show that hotel staff also face unfair working conditions and passport confiscation. Tourists must recognise their role in sustaining this system. Reducing demand for new construction may reduce the need for constant labour supply.
Although this raises questions about employment opportunities for migrants in their home countries, the human cost of Dubai’s growth cannot be ignored.
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