Why is the treatment of foreign workers so bad in the Middle East?

Question

You know that bad treatment of foreign workers has been going on for decades already, especially,the abuse of Asian/African third world country nationals,where even a loaf of bread is luxury.

Their passports are confiscated and they find all sorts of excuses not to pay them,monthly on time,the 'living'/existing conditions are appalling with backbreaking shifts,12-14 hours daily,six days a week(supposed to be occasional over-time)because they have no union cover to protect their workers rights.

All for a tax-free salary that can earn them more in 2-4 years than they could earn AT HOME,in a lifetime.But boy do they suffer for it.

You would have thought that with all their oil profits,spiritual benevolence,and good conscience,that they would pay them on time,treat them fairly and respectfully,and house them in something better than stinking desert trailers.

Answer 1

I agree with "Ramadan Kareem"

i have lived most of my life in middle east and not once did any foreigner complained about getting a treatment other than "normal"

thats one thing i like about Arabs,

Answer 2

Because Arabs are evil. They were the original slave traders after all. I believe the Koran even mentions that the Arabs are the worst people on earth.

رمضان كريم മലയാളി: If you are in the UAE and you thinks all is well there open your eyes. I have spent over 4 years in the middle east, Bahrain/Dubai over the past 20 years and I have never seen Intian / Thai/ Filipino nationals treated so badly anywhere else on earth.

Answer 3

this stuff happens everywhere in the world, but i agree with you that it shouldn't be happening in Muslim countries, but since Muslim countries have dictated western laws to their people, laws that have nothing to do with Islam, and left Islam to be practiced only inside Mosqs and not as an everyday way of life. then those kind of results are very predictable and normal.

only in a society which applies Islamic rules on ALL aspects of life will slavery cease to exist.

Answer 4

It's ignorance on part of the Employers.

I remember Shaykh 'Abdul-Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh had spoken about this and warned the employers to be mindful of their actions because many of them oppress the workers and don't obey the laws.

The problem is the mindset of some of the employers is oppressive

Answer 5

On one hand Muslims boast of fighting Oppression and at the same time they excel at slavery and all kinds of exploitation.

But as soon as this is pointed out, They immediately react by saying that the whole world is like that! ( which btw is not true)

This is the ultimate hypocrisy and the world knows it.

Answer 6

According to me ..... U.A.E is ok...

but 99% workers are unhappy here..... becouse of racism and foolish laws...

Answer 7

Actually i see this in the whole world, and i think its sick.

down with racism

Answer 8

Yeah its c**p they are treated bad......BUT

They did choose the job.  

Its like asking for a job at a bar, but being upset you have to serve alcohol.  

Answer 9

You know I live in the Middle East and I know exactly what you are talking about. In Abu Dhabi (where I live) I see how badly the workers are treated. It can get REALLY hot and humid in Abu Dhabi and everyday I see workers dressed in long sleeves and long pants while working outdoors in the sun. I feel hot even in my house where it is air conditioned. I can't imagine what it is like for them, working hours on end, in the burning heat. In the newspaper I read about how during the summer months there were so many workers admitted to hospitals suffering from heat exhaustion. Some of them have died because of this. And after all this work and suffering they hardly make enough to survive. They live in the worst conditions. There are around 15 workers living in a space meant for only 2 people! It's terrible.

It's not just the workers but the domestic help as well. Many of the maids (filipinas, or Ethiopians mostly) are treated like c**p! I read in the newspaper of how many of them are locked up and not allowed to leave, how they are beaten constantly. I read how they are forced to work 18 hours straight every day and in the end they don't even SEE their paychecks.

When I was younger I saw a housekeeper jump from the 5th floor of my building and die a few minutes after falling. The reason she jumped? She couldn't handle the abuse anymore and the front door was locked so she could not leave.

I think that the reason for all of this is that the locals think they are above everyone else. Almost all of them are spoiled to death! All the locals in the middle east are treated special. They get what they want, when they want it. That is why they get away with it. Most of them make me sick. I have met the odd few who are normal people but the two that I knew have both passed away (may they rest in peace). Also, many arabs (NOT ALL, so don't get me wrong) are very impatient and lose their tempers easily. Hitting is not a problem for some of them and so they do it to their kids and domestic helpers. Of course some go too far and actually injure their helpers. I read once of how one woman burned her maid with an iron!

Unfortunately there are many racists in the Middle East. They just believe that these workers are below them and they don't care what happens.

We have a nanny who has been with us for over 24 years (she has been in our family before my dad met my mom, so before I was born! She is still with us now and I am 17). She is like my older sister. I can't imagine what I'd do without her. I mean she helps around the house but that is it. She is not the only person who works at home. We all have chores and we never treat her like a nanny. She is a part of the family.

Some people are just cold and heartless and add to the suffering of workers. Unfortunately, because this is a rich country, people are spoiled.

EDIT: Wow after reading some of the answers here I see some people think that all arabs are bad. That is not true. I have lived here most of my life and I know that there are bad arabs but there are also many kind and good ones. It's the same as everywhere isn't it? You will find some good and some bad.

I have met many arabs here who are excellent people. Do not blame a whole race for the problems of a few people.

Answer 10

Why we blame Arabs and arab country ? First of all if our country and our peoples are great & good why do we come here to the arab lands???.

They gave this oppertunity to work and earn  let us count howmany indians pakistanis bangladeshis srilankees became millionairs and how many raised their status we forget to look at the positive aspects but we look ony one side where our own native brothers guide these arabs to cheat us .. There was a time these arabas were saying haram to these actions. but now they are happy with what they are doing. Before blaming Arabs we have to make a complete study of the facts then only we can justify our statements.

hey!! why thimb down me?? i am telling the truth. this so very not fair.

Answer 11

I wonder in which part of UAE,the first poster lives..

I have lived in 3 middle east countries,and its all the same..even engineers and others are treated like slaves,needless to say about oor labours.

Then again,it happens in all parts of world.In my place,India,rich people look down at poor people,upper caste people look doen at lower caste people.fair people look down at dark people..the chain will move on till end of time

Malayali makes self contradictory statements..**rolls eyes**

Answer 12

it happens in china too.

Answer 13

That is why I love Malaysia.  The people there made me feel at home and there was mutual respect.

I wouldn't go back to Saudi Arabia even if they paid me double what I earn now.