Arabtec opens up labour camps for inspection

Posted by: Charles Wednesday, 15 April 2009 5:32 PM[UAE] - U.A.E

I think those who are not involved in the construction sector can comment easily without knowing the real situation. You have to understand that labour camps are not everywhere, they are only in the U.A.E and GCC. The difference is most workers here come from abroad and as we all know for a company to house 100 + employees is not like housing 10. Rent is very expensive and clients or developers hardly provide the contractor with a suitable plot of land to build a descent labour camp. Recently, Dubai and the Jebal Ali free zone have built a new labour camp with 5 star facilities but unfortunately it only takes less than 8000 workers compared to more than 800,000 only in Dubai. Also, these labour camps are very expensive and the government should support the contractor in paying.

Posted by: Khaled Wednesday, 15 April 2009 4:02 PM[UAE] - U.A.E

I also agree the company itself cannot be blamed for such issues. No matter how many times labourers are given induction on keeping the place tidy and clean, the same scenario repeats itself. I remember an incident when some workers had hidden a gas cooking cylinder in their room without telling the supervisors. Although the company has provided full meals on daily basis. It was the company that got fined at the end and not the workers.

Posted by: WILDYUVAA Wednesday, 15 April 2009 1:52 PM[UAE]

The Labors definitely deserve a better deal when it comes to accomadation, since they are the backbone of any construction activity happened [or] happening here.

Posted by: Mohammed Irfan Wednesday, 15 April 2009 1:06 PM[UAE] - UAE

Well there has been too much of hue and cry over the camps conditions. But isn't this a fact that these labourers are getting to live at least like humans here in Dubai. Being from Mumbai and that too being a Construction Engineer, i have seen the life of these workers in India. The type of slums they stay in in with their family. I feel life for them is much better than that in India.

Posted by: Nicola Wednesday, 15 April 2009 11:45 AM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

We've hired hundreds of workers, provided them with new premises, not only clean but new blankets, coveralls, shoes and furniture. These were treated in such a bad way that after a few months the place looked like a war zone or a post earthquake site. Most workers don't respect company's property and any efforts to make them feel better. Many whom are not in the contracting business have no idea of how sometime is frustrating in dealing with labourers. Watching things as an outsider gives always a different prospective than the reality. I know for a fact that some companies are acting against human rights and should be punished, but I also know Arabtec (a competitor of my company) they are really one of the best standards amongst contractors and are doing their best.