Indian workers indulge in violence in Dubai: face prosecution

Nov 01: Around 4,500 workers who were working for a construction company operating in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone were detained in connection with their involvement in violence while demanding higher wages and better living conditions.

While on protest some workers attacked police, blocked the traffic and damaged the public property, which led to their arrest. Most of the laborers were Indians mainly coming from Punjab, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Almost 90 Indians have been prosecuted, some of the protesters have been deported and some were allowed to go back to work after signing an affidavit of not indulging in such activities again and abide by the terms of the contract.

The issue was solved by the intervention of the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai. Dubai authorities said that instead of mass deportations only those who will be found indulging in violence directly would be prosecuted others would have the choice of either stay in Dubai and continue their job or return to their country.

Talmiz Ahmed, Indian ambassador said that issue has been resolved peacefully and amicably. Indian government is also trying that mass deportation does not take place and only those be punished who directly resorted to violence.

This is to be known that every year thousands of workers migrate illegally to Gulf countries including UAE in search of jobs and work as wage laborers. This renders them helpless and at the mercy of employers as they have no legal status of workers so not in position of taking any legal action against employer in case of violation of terms of contract. They also sign the contract without knowing the details of payments and working conditions. Such contracts are not attested either by the labor ministry of the country or Indian embassy.