Introduction
The economic success of the UAE is a result of non-nationals who form the largest part of their population. The non-nationals are estimated to present about 88.5% of the population of the UAE. These non-nationals (migrant workers) provide cheap labor, especially as construction and domestic workers. The cheap labor helped the UAE to become one of the world’s richest countries. Despite the advantages the migrant laborers provide, the UAE has not done enough to stop labor trafficking that is rampant in the region.
Labor trafficking in the UAE
The UAE is an attractive place for many people, especially from South and Southeast Asia (Haldeman, 2012). Many of the migrant workers travel to the UAE willingly after being promised well-paying jobs in the UAE. They are required to pay a substantial fee to cover their passport and travel costs. However, on arrival at their destination, their visas are confiscated after which they are subjected to manipulation (Mahmoud & Tresbech, 2010). The US Department of State reported that there were about 10,000 victims of labor trafficking in the UAE, a report that was dismissed as a lie by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE. “The domestic workers are the most vulnerable group among migrant workers” (Bertone, 2004). They are forced to sign the standard UAE contract upon arrival replacing the original contract that is unenforceable in the region. The new contract denies the worker enough time to rest and one day off that is paid per week. Furthermore, it gives the employer the right to deduct from the employees’ salary the damages they cause. The contract also lowers their wages. For instance, domestic migrant workers from the Philippines said that, at home, they signed for 400 US dollars, but this changed to between 190-230 US dollars after signing the new contract (Koettl, 2009). With all this, we can agree that labor trafficking exists in the UAE.
Challenges for Victims and Their Families
Labor trafficking in the UAE has affected the victims and their families in many ways. The primary effect of labor trafficking is exploitation that impoverishes the victims and their families (Koettl, 2009). Withholding and paying the victims low wages and having them pay for their transport and visa fees cuts on the income they had expected for self-development and consequently they end up even worse than it was before. Secondly, the victims are forced to work in a stressful environment under harsh conditions which have serious mental and health impacts (Degorge, 2006).
Role of the Government and Society in Preventing Labor Trafficking
Governments and societies have come up to condemn trafficking and also make a concerted effort to prevent human trafficking. Specifically, states have come up with laws and legislations to compact this vice (Bertone, 2004). Furthermore, they fund any activities that are geared towards the elimination of labor trafficking. For instance, in 2013 the UAE established the Trafficking Victim’s Fund which purpose is to provide compensation to victims of human trafficking and give them initial financial support to help them settle back at home (Koettl, 2009). Besides that, the government prosecutes anyone involved in trafficking or found harassing their foreign employees (Degorge, 2006). On the other hand, societies advocate for adjustment of the law in favor of migrant workers besides exposing those involved in such businesses.
Conclusion
Trafficking of human labor exists in the UAE and has adverse effects on the victims and their families. The government’s and society’s efforts that are aimed at preventing trafficking are not sufficient in compacting it. To eliminate it, everybody should contribute. It is the best way we can put an end to this harmful criminal act.
References
Bertone, A. M. (2004). Transnational activism to combat trafficking in persons. Brown Journal of World Affairs, 10(2), 9-22.
Degorge, B. (2006). Modern-day slavery in the United Arab Emirates. European Legacy, 11(6), 657-666.
Haldeman, L. (2012). Labour Trafficking in Dubai: A Case Study. Web.
Koettl, J. (2009). Modern Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery, and Human Exploitation. Web.
Mahmoud, T. O., & Trebesch, C. (2010). The economics of human trafficking and labor migration: Micro-evidence from Eastern Europe. Journal of Comparative Economics, 38(2), 173-188.
Bertone, Andrea M. “Transnational activism to combat trafficking in persons.” Brown J. World Aff. 10 (2003): 9.
Degorge, Barbara. “Modern day slavery in the United Arab Emirates.” European Legacy 11.6 (2006): 657-666.
Haldeman, L. “Labor Trafficking in Dubai.” N.p., 2012. Web.
Koettl, J. “Modern Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery and Human Exploitation.” N.p., 2009. Web.
Mahmoud, Toman Omar, and Christoph Trebesch. “The economics of human trafficking and labour migration: Micro-evidence from Eastern Europe.” Journal of Comparative Economics 38.2 (2010): 173-188.