InfoAnda - Dubai faces gradual exodus of expatriate workers

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

First lawsuit starts in China milk scandal: state media | 29 November 2009
China's Hu heads to G20 amid pressure over yuan, N.Korea | 23 June 2010
U.S. mulls transfer of Taliban prisoner in perilous peace bid | | 30 December 2011

Clooney's 'American' powers to top of box office | 7 September 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Dubai faces gradual exodus of expatriate workers

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Dubai faces gradual exodus of expatriate workers AFP - Monday, December 7 Send IM Story Print Cranes are seen at construction sites near Sheikh Zayed road in central Dubai. The shock news of Dubai's debt crisis is not expected to spark an immediate surge in redundancies in the once-booming desert metropolis, but a gradual exodus is likely as workers' contracts expire and the lack of new projects means they are unable to find new jobs. DUBAI (AFP) - – Construction worker Bilal is in a happy mood as he takes his lunch break sitting next to an artificial lake near Dubai's showpiece Mall of the Emirates. But he admits anxiety about the end of his contract in one year's time, when the 24-year-old may have to return to Bangladesh. The shock news of Dubai's debt crisis is not expected to spark an immediate surge in redundancies in the once-booming desert metropolis, but a gradual exodus is likely as workers' contracts expire and the lack of new projects means they are unable to find new jobs. Before last year's credit crunch, Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates were estimated at the end of 2007 to have a population of 6.4 million people -- of whom 5.5 million were foreigners. More than three million were registered with the ministry of labour as workers, when Dubai was still racing to build enormous shopping centres and business districts. But now the picture is very different. Even before state-owned Dubai World said last week that it wants to halt payments on its huge debts for at least six months, property prices were down by half and office rents by as much as two-thirds. People from Asia, who form the majority of the construction workforce, may find their livelihoods at stake following the mothballing of hundreds of new building projects worth tens of billions of dollars. Ferraris, Aston Martins and Maseratis are parked less than 100 metres (yards) away from where Bilal sits by the lake on Thursday, his blue safety helmet alongside him. There is no indication anywhere nearby of the financial crisis swirling across the city. "No, I'm not worried" about losing my job, he says. "I have worked here for two years, our company's agreement is for three years." But he concedes that not knowing where he will work when his contract expires is a source of concern. For Indian site engineer Thomas, unemployment is a already a reality. He walked out of Thiruvananthapuram International airport in the southern Indian state of Kerala early on Thursday, after 10 years in the Emirati city, with just two items of hand luggage and a bundle of clothes. His contract had been terminated by his Dubai-based construction company after the project was hit by the economic crisis. "I was working as a site engineer in Dubai. I've no other choice than return to Kerala," 50-year-old Thomas told AFP. "My flight was full of people returning. Sooner or later almost 80 percent of the workers will have to leave Dubai." He said that during his time in Dubai, where many southern Indians found work, he had sent home enough money to build a house in his village and pay for his three sisters' weddings. "What to do now?" he said. "I don't have a hefty bank balance or land to support my family. I may try my luck in Saudi Arabia or Muscat." "Many companies in Dubai have not paid the workers for the last three months," Thomas said. Foreign workers in the Gulf city state often face major challenges if they have to leave. A proportion have been allowed to bring in their families, which makes expatriate life easier but causes extra upheaval if the main breadwinner loses his or her job. An even bigger proportion of Asian workers in the UAE send some of their wages as remittances to their families back home. Dubai security guard Pradeep, 36, has connections in the transport industry in India and believes he can find a job there if he has to. "I can also return to my home country and work," he said. But his salary working in the emirate is enough for him to support his family at home. He first came to Dubai in 2003, then later returned to India to work before coming back to Dubai in early 2009. "Job is not secure, job is not secure," he said with a smile, slowly shaking his head. "The economy is very down." He added that, although this will not affect him immediately, it could cause him to lose his job in the future. If this happens, Pradeep says he will leave Dubai once more. Job security is "our main concern these days," said Jomy, a 35-year-old Indian working in Dubai as a contractor with a company that sells apples. Jomy's friend Jino, also Indian, describes the economic troubles as being "industry-specific," especially in the banking sector in which he works. "So many industries linked to it will have a chain reaction" from banking to other sectors, he added. The change in lifestyle can be dramatic when people have to return home. Satheesh, a civil engineer, worked in the Gulf for 19 years, including the last two years in Dubai. Now he is back home in Kochi, Kerala. "I was getting 200,000 rupees (4,300 dollars) a month in Dubai. But now I'm unemployed as my company asked me to go on long leave and now it has closed down the project. The management has shelved 450 Indian workers. It's a bad time for me." Many unskilled foreign workers in Dubai, with no special knowledge about the crisis, are broadly worried and just hoping for the best. But even those specialising in finance are fearful of the prospects for once-booming Dubai. "Of course I'm worried (the economic situation) is going to affect my bonuses by the end of the year, and there might be some job losses," said Sheraz, a Pakistani internal auditor working in Dubai for a major retail group. "There's still a lot of uncertainty around. We don't know what will happen next year," the 27-year-old said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Monday, December 7 "Blind Side" tackles top spot at box offices Reuters - Monday, December 7 'SNL' can't resist Tiger Woods jokes AP - Monday, December 7 African-American princess joins Disney royals AFP - Monday, December 7 "Agitprop" Austrian sculptor Hrdlicka dies at 81 Reuters - Monday, December 7 News Search Top Stories Climate pledges 'put world on track for 3.5 C rise' British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots UAE stocks recover after Dubai debt crisis losses German firms complain of tight credit, intrusive banks Hundreds protest New York 9/11 trial More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Hundreds protest New York 9/11 trial Saudi hails 'perfect' oil price, stable market Saudi investors shrug off Dubai debt crisis UAE stocks recover after Dubai debt crisis losses British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 7 December 2009
ElBaradei sets conditions for Egypt presidency run
Virgin Galactic readies maiden suborbital flight
Climate pledges 'put world on track for 3.5 C rise'
British royals warn newspapers over paparazzi shots
Karzai urges flexibility for U.S. troop timeline |
West Bank settlers step up resistance to freeze
Iraq cuts short nightlife revival with bar closures
Indian PM arrives in Russia for arms, nuclear deals |
Police clash with youths on Greek riots anniversary |
Israeli settlers step up protest against freeze
U.N. says biggest climate talks in history must deliver |
Turkey says no more troops for Afghanistan
Swiss minaret ban reversal vote in pipeline |
Iran opposition leader says reform movement alive |
Malaysia grabs three of five Super Series titles
E.Asian Games medal race has familiar look
Mass. Sen. hopefuls working to get voters to polls
Study: Missing DNA can promote childhood obesity
Wolf recovery at crossroads in the Southwest
China's Liu Zige wins 200m fly, misses record
Australia steps up wildfire preparedness
'Blind Side' eclipses 'New Moon' with $20M weekend
Pakistan police arrest gang accused in bombings
21 killed, 50 hurt in bus collision in Bangladesh
Obama aide cites al-Qaida leader in Afghanistan
McCain troubled by Afghan pullout target date
15 killed, 30 hurt in bus collision in Bangladesh
Clinton hasn't looked into Knox case in Italy
Obama security adviser: Picture not good on Iran
PROMISES, PROMISES: A closed meeting on openness
Must-pass bills pile up as days wind down
Obama To Meet With Democrats On Health Care Bill
Reed Certified As Atlanta Mayor
GOP Wants Baucus Investigated For Recommending Girlfriend In U.S. Attorney Post
Two People, Dozens Of Horses Killed In Barn Fire
'SNL' can't resist Tiger Woods jokes
African-American princess joins Disney royals
Blind Side tackles top spot at movie box offices |
Marketing magic: the business of Christmas markets
Episcopal church elects lesbian bishop in Los Angeles
"Agitprop" Austrian sculptor Hrdlicka dies at 81
Bacons perform at Philly Mummers' fundraiser
Climate change has silver lining for English vineyards
Dubai faces gradual exodus of expatriate workers
Iraq poll preparation begins
British banks face tax on bonuses: reports
Afghan women among worst off in world-rights group |
Facebook forms board on online safety
Unbeaten NFL Saints get a scare but keep up with Colts
Intel scraps graphics chip based on Larrabee
Date for US drawdown needed for Afghans: Gates
Fake drugs trade on the rise: EU
US to launch new bid to hunt down Bin Laden
Iranian police surround university to prevent protest |
Spain move to help Western Sahara hunger striker
Bolivia's Morales claims re-election, Congress control |
Opposition figures arrested as Sudan bans rally
Mexicans in drug war city call on army to leave |
Iraq lawmakers end impasse, election to go ahead
Tough times force OPEC members to close ranks
Iraq clears way for parliamentary elections
Iraq lawmakers end impasse, election to go ahead |
Opposition figures arrested as Sudan bans rally |
Senior Venezuelan minister resigns in bank scandal |
Sudan must explain Darfur peacekeeper killing
Honduras' Zelaya to stay in Brazil embassy |
Japan PM support below 60 percent as coalition bickers |
Facebook forms board on online safety |
Intel scraps graphics chip based on Larrabee |
Election of lesbian bishop reopens Anglican wounds
US applauds Iraq plans for parliamentary elections
Pearl Harbor survivor back for 1st time since war
Police charge 3 after Indonesian bar fire kills 20
WA police probe fake radio call reporting shooting
Popularity soars for Taiwan opposition leader
More than 500 claims filed against NW Jesuits
Drunk Taiwan vote loser shoots rival's sister
Obama rallies Democratic troops on health care
Obama urges Dems to pass health care overhaul
Philippines says clan gunmen attack police
Kashmir's anonymous graves summon darkest days
Senate votes to spare plaintiffs' lawyers
10,000 lanterns fly into record book in Indonesia
Chicago police say nothing found in Blago burglary
Japan PM support below 60 percent as coalition bickers
Philippine massacre suspects face rebellion raps
Broken promises fuel Thai insurgency: analysts
Australia opposition leader enjoys poll boost
Asian markets mixed after US jobs report
Korea Hot Stocks
Xinhua: China auto sales pass 12M in Jan-Nov
World trade to fall "unprecedented" 10 pct: Lamy
Blind Side tackles top spot at movie box offices |
Japan to finalise stimulus package: PM
Jack Black gets animated with movie project |
Pakistan
Kennedy Center gala honors performing arts greats |
NZ recovery may not be sustainable
Cable network TNT pinning hopes on Men |
Xinhua: China plans to keep stimulus, easy credit
Mamet's Race more entertaining than insightful |
China's BoCom says has financing plans, no timetable
Bennett Miller in talks to direct Moneyball' |
Seoul shares rise on U.S. data relief; exporters up
Jerry O'Connell signs on for NBC pilot |
Galactic enlists New Orleans legends for new album |
Billboard names Powter One-Hit Wonder of Decade
Jerry O'Connell signs on for NBC pilot
Cash-strapped Americans seek holiday gift alternatives
Kennedy Center gala honors performing arts greats
Obama on Bruce Springsteen: 'he's the Boss'
Bennett Miller in talks to direct "Moneyball'
Boyle stays British number one
'The Blind Side' tops North America box office
"Blind Side" tackles top spot at movie box offices
Mom Gives Birth Aboard Southwest Airlines
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01