🌍 Labour Migration and the Reality in Dubai Compared to Europe

🌍 Labour Migration and the Reality in Dubai Compared to Europe

Many migrant workers in Dubai come from countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan or India. From a Western perspective, working conditions in the Gulf region are often judged harshly — sometimes with a pointed finger and moral superiority. But it raises an important question:
Is this truly about concern for human rights, or do we only use that argument when it fits our narrative?

Is it genuine empathy, or a form of selective outrage — mainly directed at other countries, while we prefer to overlook the challenges in our own backyard?

In countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, migrant workers are frequently deported under the guise of "job theft" or "public threat." In Dubai, the reality is different: migrant workers are visible, legally employed, and often benefit from basic provisions like housing, transportation, and meals — privileges that many migrant workers in Europe can only dream of.

And no, they are not forced to work on large construction sites. Many choose to work as taxi drivers, in hospitality, cleaning, security, or other service-based roles. It’s a conscious decision, often with one clear goal: to earn money to support their families back home.

Their focus is on working efficiently, paying minimal taxes, and sending as much money back as possible. Because many expenses like housing and meals are covered, their net disposable income is often higher than at home — allowing them to save and invest in a better future. For many, working in Dubai offers more financial security than would ever be possible in their home countries.

Dubai Offers Stability and Structure

Dubai provides a high degree of stability and efficiency:
✅ Safe and clean public spaces
✅ Reliable public transport
✅ Clear legal frameworks
✅ Protection from exploitation, including a ban on passport confiscation, mandatory wage payment through the WPS system, and accessible labour complaints procedures via the Ministry of Labour

In neighbourhoods like Deira and Sharjah, food is distributed daily to the underprivileged — a form of community solidarity that has become rare in many European cities.

My Personal Experience in Deira

I visited Deira myself to see with my own eyes how migrant workers live. What I experienced there was quite different from the image often portrayed in Dutch media.

No — it's not Wassenaar (a wealthy suburb), but it's also not Schilderswijk, where tension and feelings of unsafety can be very present. Deira is orderly, lively, and socially structured. After work, people play volleyball barefoot, eat together outdoors, laugh, and talk. The atmosphere is calm, friendly, and surprisingly relaxed.

People look out for each other. There is no begging, no pressure, no hostility. Despite modest living conditions, there's dignity and pride. As a visitor, you feel safe and welcome — without being approached constantly, as is the case in many European cities.

You can get a hot meal for just a few euros, and a traditional abra boat ride across the creek costs only 25 euro cents. Life is simple, but functional — and above all: not hopeless.

For many, Deira is a stepping stone. A place of hard work, but also of structure, community, and opportunity — far more than what many migrants find elsewhere in the world.

Time for Some Self-Reflection?

Western criticism remains loud — yet the situation for migrant workers in Europe is increasingly concerning. Racism, exclusion, and structural inequality are growing issues, often fuelled by populist or fear-based political rhetoric.

Maybe it's time to first take a closer look at ourselves:
🔁 Start by protecting and supporting your own migrant workers.
Let’s be honest — every economy depends on people who are willing to work hard, often behind the scenes.

Dubai isn’t perfect. No country is.
But for those willing to look with open eyes, Dubai is not a caricature — it’s a working system that provides opportunity, stability, and dignity for millions.

And perhaps most importantly:

There is work for everyone.
Dubai’s economy is growing so fast and strong, that there are always opportunities — across all sectors, at every level.