A World of Lesser Mortals

It's vital for various companies in the Middle East toare not harassed or exploited. There are billion dollar
plan out strategies and HR policies, which would assistprojects which are halted due to the unrest and the
them in retaining expatriate workers. In the last fewlosses estimated are incredibly high. Burj Dubai, which
years the situation of the migrant workers is in ais on the verge of becoming the tallest building in the
very bad state and their rights are either neglectedworld, was hugely affected last year due to the
or almost forgotten. Ensuring expatriate rights andworkers' strikes.
providing better treatment are important in retainingOver the past couple of years, human rights
these workers who are immensely frustrated as theorganizations have recorded innumerable cases of
situation these days is getting from bad to worse.violation of human rights within the Middle East. The
Expats today are resorting to strikes and othermedia has also showcased the horrific plight of the
violent means to make their voices heard but sadlyexpatriate workers in the six GCC states. "Apart
there are only a few ears to hear and sympathisefrom money, the unsafe worksites, unhygienic living
with their untold miseries. Rioting over low and unpaidconditions, and long working hours are some of the
salaries and burning vehicles and public transportprime reasons for making these humble workers
won't provide a solution though. Someone has tounhappy. If proper steps are not taken soon, it
step forward and do something for the bettermentwould be very difficult for the Middle East firms to
of these poor labourers soon, else the Middle Easthire new workers from India and elsewhere," said
would no longer be a suitable place to live and work.Samir Khosla, Vice-Chairman of Dynamic Staffing
The administration has to lay down certain regulationsServices.
for the Middle East companies so that the workers