200,000 needed to work on RAK projects

An extra 200,000 construction workers are needed to complete all of the projects planned in the northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The claim has been made by property developer Rakeen in a report in UAE daily The National on Wednesday.

The new figure would bring the total number of labourers in the UAE to almost one million.

Wahid Attalla, a member of the board of Rakeen, is quoted as saying the workers are not only needed for their projects but also for those being planned by RAK Properties and other private developers.

The influx of workers would almost double the emirate’s current population of 220,000, around a quarter of which are estimated to be employed within the construction industry.

He added that the company was planning to build labour accommodation complexes to house the anticipated workers that it would need for its projects.

It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 construction workers in the UAE, most of whom come from Asian ­countries.

RAK has around 31 projects under way or in the planning stages including the Mina al Arab – a shoreline and reclaimed island project being developed by RAK Properties that is also backed by the Government.

Rakeen is developing the Dh6.6bn Al Marjan Island and Dana Island, along with the Gateway. Other projects in the emirate include Saraya Islands, Mangrove Island and Ras al Khaimah Financial City. About 20 five-star hotels are also planned.

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