Comments on: The dark side of Dubai http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/ "Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:44:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Sara Jane http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-16089 Mon, 27 Dec 2010 23:17:50 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-16089 I grew up in Dubai – having lived there since the 1970′s. The article is spot on and many people might be irked by these truths. However, how is it different from any other country in the world? It is the world’s way to exploit the less fortunate. I live in America now and see how society treats the blacks and hispanics. I can honestly compare and agree that every society has three levels – the upper, middle and lower classes. The middle and upper class in America have hispanic and black maids who get paid minimum or lower than minimum wage, that too is a truth.

What I don’t like is the fact that it happens and nothing is done about it by international human rights organizations – be it in America, the UK or Dubai – these situations exist. It’s sick.

I remember in one job at a very high powered company in Dubai, where I was a senior executive, I was told that I would never be promoted to the next level because I was not white – I am half white, half asian. My skin colour is indeed brown. Many ads you see in the papers call for UK/US educated professionals, having white offers a company prestige. It’s all in the thinking.

There are a lot of senior level Indians in Dubai, who are more responsible than the UAE government because they do not support their countrymen but stand idly by piling up their fortune while they watch those poor people work in 55 degree heat. By the way, it’s law in Dubai for all outdoor labour to stop if the temperatures hit 50C and over but nobody abides by any of it.

The system is run on bribes, power and wealth. Take those three things on and no poor person will stand a chance any where. In the US, you look at New Orleans, in the Middle East, you look at Dubai — it’s all the same. The few control the many. It’s the expats who are to blame ultimately in this case – consider this, the locals are only 5% of the population, which leaves 95% of external influence, international money and influence. One must ask, who is really to blame?

]]> By: Anjum Niaz http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2580 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:49:27 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2580 This article seems very artificial to me. Karen Andrews story is just fake or very exaggerated. She could fly back to her own country any time and could enjoy luxury life of Canada, instead of living in her range rover in a parking lot. All companies are bind to provide medical insurance (especially above labor levels). Few others like people come to Arab country by selling property and stuck there… is very common in all Arab countries. Even in Europe or America for illegal workers.

When I compare Dubai with any western country, I understand it is far behind in human rights and democracy.

But when I compare it with other Arab countries or Israel (in the region), Dubai is like human heaven.

Everybody in poor countries like Philippines and Bangladesh know what happens when they go to any Arab country to make money. Desert is hot and if they are in labor job, they have to bear.

You have to make strict laws when you are allowing expats to work in your country, especially when you have more Indians or Filipinos in your country than your own local residents.

Western countries with all their resources, doesn’t allow expats of poor countries to come to their countries and live better lives.

Arabs with all their nasty racist behavior, laws and dictatorship, allowing expats (labor to higher management) come to their countries and earn better than what they could do in their own countries.

With Zero taxes, low cost of living (other than accommodation) and relatively better local Emiratis behavior (compared to other Arabs), Dubai is like heaven to save money and leave.

Before you come to Dubai, you know everything. So risk is yours… Otherwise, better stay in your own country…

]]> By: Yaldrum http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2456 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:57:17 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2456 Nassarno
Ofcourse it is not, one thing Johann forgot to mention was how Dubai is the center for human trafficking, in particular Sex Slaves.
Indeed but your eyes can not see such misery which is out in the naked, and you can almost pretend every thing away, but guess what YOU CAN NOT anymore. Jealous of GOD DAM oven right, sure.
In other words your ignorance comes as no surprise as nothing better can be expected of a self centered expat.
Please get your facts straight a president is democratically elected head of a state (well in most countries)you got a tyrant Sheikh with 0 democracy or civil rights.

]]> By: Nassarno http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2448 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:10:28 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2448 I am an expat living in UAE (Abu Dhabi), i always go to Dubai for the weekend and sometimes have some work there, Dubai isn’t a paradise but also it’s not what this article say, i have seen a lot of people coming to dubai, when they want to go buy the latest cars and everyday shoping and go clubbing in the most expensive clubs and all on the Credit Cards cost then i am not shocked when i hear these stories.
i have seen how the expats live here, they live here as kings and hay nothing comes for free you have to live like a king you have to pay for it.
You know why i have lots of respect for the Shiekh Mohammad because he is providing his people with the best living ever, i want to ask you one thing, there are a lot of countries also have oil but do they provide thier people with the same living style or do they steal it for thier pockets.
All the countries are jelous of Dubai, so what it is having some problems but if there wasn’t a crisis then all of this wouldn’t have happened, and if the expats don’t like it here then why they are staying here if thier countries where better.
i have seen the labor law, it is very fair and just for everybody, the incedents mentioned above may have took place, but this is not the case in the whole country every company is obliged to give the labor money for his ticket and his end of service and it is being monitred all over the UAE.
So people stop being jelous of Dubai and pray that one day your presidents will be as good as Shiekh Mohamed Bin Rashid.

]]> By: Ali FA http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2447 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:45:53 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2447 I am born and raised in the UAE and my family still lives there. The UAE and in particular Dubai is still the same. What i mean by that is just because they built sky scrapers and opened some night clubs that dosent mean they became a democracy and developed some rights you can have in the west. Its true many things are happening in Dubai now that we dont know about and it is shocking, but anyone coming to a country with such laws, a country that is still a monarchy and run by the sheikh, a country that dosent give any expat property rights what so ever must beaware of the consequences. I blame the people who are ignorant about the laws. IF you are moving to a new country and you have no clue how it runs, one must read about it in advance and be ready incase of situations mentioned previously.

]]> By: behind the glitter of Dubai « http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2441 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:47:27 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2441 [...] read a fascinating article today called “The Dark Side of Dubai”, which details the reality of the society and just how far removed actual Emiratis are from life in [...]

]]> By: Naji http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2436 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:16:49 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2436 I agree with your take on this, except that, from first hand knowledge, I can tell you that this abomination (much like Israel) is a creation of western ex-pats, with participation from Arab ignoramuses, rather than the other way around…!

]]> By: realistic bird http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2434 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:46:49 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2434 Uff after that is there an upside?! I thought at first I was reading some fictional story. You hear stories but nothing this terrible. I find it amazing when people destroy their property with their own hands while exploiting others and saying it is their success, madness.

]]> By: Yaldrum http://pulsemedia.org/2009/04/07/the-dark-side-of-dubai/#comment-2433 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:52:52 +0000 http://pulsemedia.org/?p=9382#comment-2433 I wouldnt shed a tear for such a place of misery being unleashed on humans all in the name of progress, if this is to be a model for the rest of Middle East and world in general then I would prefer they stay in deserts.

I have never visited Dubai, never felt like but many times I have passed through Dubai’s Emirates Terminal looking at tall towering buildings glaring from a distance felt like it every thing about this place was FAKE. Then 2 years ago while traveling to London, an incident made me reach decision never to travel through this City again and ever since I haven’t. I would loose my sanity in such a place where I am supposed to ignore existence of such cruelty, inhumanity, NO NEVER!

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