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Building Towers, Cheating Workers

Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in the
United Arab Emirates

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More on Human Rights Watch's work on the United Arab Emirates

More on Human Rights Watch's work on Labor and Human Rights

I. Summary

II. Recommendations

To the Government of the United Arab Emirates

To the Governments of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka

To the Governments of the United States, the European Union, and Australia

III. Methodology

IV. Migrant Construction Workers in the United Arab Emirates

Visibility of Migrant Worker Grievances

V. Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers

The Recruitment Process

Unpaid Wages

Low Wages

Confiscation of Passports

Safety and Health Hazards

VI. UAE Labor Law

Government Mechanisms Addressing Labor Disputes

Deficiencies in the Law

VII. Workers’ Human Rights and Government Obligations under International Law

UAE Membership in the ILO

Other International Standards

Acknowledgments

Appendix 1: Human Rights Watch Letter to UAE Minister of Labor

Appendix 2: UAE Government Response to Human Rights Watch’s Letter

November 2006 Volume 18, No. 8(E)