Ghobash to investigate BBC labour camp claims
DUBAI // The Ministry of Labour is to investigate claims made by a BBC documentary that labourers on some construction projects in Dubai are living in "inhumane conditions". The BBC Panorama documentary, "Slumdogs and Millionaires", which was broadcast on Monday, showed an undercover reporter with groups of workers employed by First Group's subcontractor United Engineering Construction and by Arabtec.
In one camp, where 7,500 labourers were said to be living in 1,248 rooms with poor ventilation, the documentary team reported "raw sewage flowing through the camp" and a lack of clean water. Saqr Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, the Minister of Labour, is now investigating the "veracity" of the claims, according to a ministry statement. Maher al Obaid, the acting director general of the inspection team task force, said the ministry would investigate the "alleged derogation of the rights of workers in the construction sector" and would visit the sites. He emphasised that the ministry carried out regular inspections and fined those who failed to measure up. The ministry will also hold a press conference today on health and safety practices on construction and camp sites.
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