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Dubai, Secrets of The Night, The Rich, The Workers.

It's not all as it seems, a tale of 2 people groups

By Dean GeePublished 2 years ago 4 min read
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Dubai, Secrets of The Night, The Rich, The Workers.
Photo by Christoph Schulz on Unsplash

The Night is for the rich, and the peasants can share a bed

Night life in Dubai is different to the rules that Dubai implement during the day. Girls for leisure and pleasure

Immigrants for Dubai, immigrant workers live in really tough condition some have to share a bed with 2 or three others, depending on shifts.

The place in Dubai where immigrant workers live is called Sonapur.

Dubai has strict rules on substance abuse and female escorts, however all of these things are available at night and if you know the right people and places to go.

The police are aware of these activities, but there seems to be a ruling class that are above the law. The ruling class decide what is permissible more so than the police. Once again the old rule applies, it’s not what you know, but who you know.

Infrastructure built on the backs of others

The infrastructure of Dubai, is something to behold. I remember visiting Dubai on two occasions for business. I was amazed at the construction and the number of cranes present. The dirty secret of this infrastructure is that it is entirely built on foreign underpaid, and some would say slave labour.

There are reports of workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh working in temperatures exceeding 50 Celsius or 122 Fahrenheit. Their working hours are also 14 hours a day, so when you consider how they created that amazing infrastructure, it loses its shine. But I know that worldwide similar events take place and have taken place worldwide, so this is not only a Dubai issue.

You got injured on the job, tell someone who cares

It is unsurprising given this that workers' compensation for accidents or injury, is nonexistent for this hardworking labour force. Powerful construction companies, sweep all of the human rights of the workers under the carpet.

The immigrant living conditions of the workforce is also another issue, where up to 10 people are living in rooms which are built for 2 or 3 people.

Payment, oh, you wanted to be paid? When?

Payment for their hard labour is never on time, it sounds like the glossy brochure showing life in Dubai is ‘sold’ to these immigrant workers, and the reality is very different, like when you sign up for some time share holiday and find out that the brochure and the reality are miles apart. Most of these poor immigrant labourers, have no option, and possibly think that even if they need to suffer for a while, they can make a better life for themselves, this does not correlate though with the experience of people I know who have lived in Dubai.

Your wings clipped

Once you have signed up as labourer in Dubai, the company that you work for will insist that you handover your passport, and if you werte to request your passport be returned to you, your request will be denied and so you cannot even travel back to your home country.

No public signs of affection

You cannot kiss your partner in public, and if they catch you doing that, there are fines and imprisonment in the offering, for this terrible violation of public order.

Don’t flip the bird

No matter how frustrated you get or no matter how much a citizen of Dubai has earned an unsavoury hand gesture that you may show, due to your level of frustration (flipping the bird). Do not do that, you will find yourself in prison as one British traveller was unfortunate enough o find out.

He flipped the bird to a cab driver and found himself in prison.

No Alcohol for the average joe

Double standards because of societal level. Those of us fortunate enough to travel to Dubai and live in hotels can order alcohol, without an issue, whereas they deny the average person wanting to buy some alcohol from a supermarket this privilege because of the strict laws.

Now each country sets their own laws, but it just smacks of hypocrisy when they don’t allow alcohol for some people but they allow alcohol to others.

The Upper Class Citizenry

If you are lucky enough to be born in Dubai, and are a citizen of Dubai, then you have struck the lottery. The government pays for your education and supplies a mansion for you when you get married.

The home you receive also comes with a nanny and chef and they even pay for a personal trainer and all your overseas holidays for. Wow, imagine that! You also have a driver at your beck and call, and all the latest technology is at your fingertips.

Exotic Pets

Exotic pets are unlawful in Dubai, but once again there is a double standard here. The wealthy are known to keep pets like cheetahs, jaguars and even lions. The Sheiks of Dubai make the laws for thee, but not for me.

Having said all that the world is not fair, so Dubai is merely a reflection of the inequalities worldwide. No country is perfect, and exploitation and modern day slavery still exists.

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About the Creator

Dean Gee

Inquisitive Questioner, Creative Ideas person. Marketing Director. I love to write about life and nutrition, and navigating the corporate world.

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