Monday, Apr 06, 2009
Slumdogs and Millionaires
BBC PANORAMA: Dubai: From riches to rags
Having spent the last three months travelling there, I no longer think of the seven star Burj Al Arab hotel when I think of Dubai, but of emaciated, wretched men, lining up for buses before the sun has risen, resigned to the fact that their hard day's work wouldn't earn them enough to buy a round of coffee here. The branding of Dubai has to be one of the greatest PR triumphs of the past 20 years.
It works out incredibly well for the developers - they can charge first world fortunes for the dream villas and apartments, but pay third world salaries to the men actually building them.
Posted by sold out @ 05:45 PM (604 views) Add Comment
4 Comments
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1. icarus said...
This sounds exactly like migrant workers in Europe/UK - especially those picking crops or packing food for supermarkets. The difference is that Dubai didn't systematically undermine subsistence agriculture or fishing in some of the countries from which part of their migrant labour force came, and Dubai's migrant labour force isn't competing with, and hated by, an indigenous labour force. (This is a condemnation of western Europe, not a defence of Dubai.)
2. little professor said...
Less than third world salaries. Indian workers travel there in the hope of gaining riches, but end up getting paid less than they would have at home, if they get paid at all. They are often blackmailed by their employers into working for free or for peanuts, and have their passports taken by their employers.
3. Majol said...
WTF..i have watched the programme...horrible life and shame for MR.sheikh dubai...i read the guy on top talking about migrant workers in UK.nobody keep their passports here.they are free to work everywhere since they come to UK ..education and medical not even cost a penne for thir children you know that stupid...dont compare UK and ur %^&**&(* dubai.. .
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