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In July 2023, the Vital Signs Partnership released its third report exploring the deeply harmful impact of high temperatures on migrant workers in the Gulf. One Nepali worker who went to UAE through Good Luck International Manpower for employment with Federal Security Services worked 12 hour shifts outside in Dubai for over 18 months. He described the heat as "unbearable" and was unable to take breaks or rest. He did not have enough money to buy more water, had limited access to food and water, and if he did take breaks he would be reprimanded by the company. On his return home the worker was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Companies
Good Luck Manpower
- Recruiter
,
Federal Security Services
- Employer
Injuries
,
Right to Food
,
Access to Water
,
Intimidation
,
Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time
,
Recruitment Fees
,
Illness
,
Occupational Health & Safety
,
Heat exposure
,
Poverty Wages
In July 2023, the Vital Signs Partnership released its third report exploring the deeply harmful impact of high temperatures on migrant workers in the Gulf. One Nepali worker who went to Qatar through Asia Link Services paid fees for a job offer as a security guard of USD604, but arrived to find himself employed as a plumber and earning USD330per month. He frequently worked long hours and was always exhausted, often working outdoors in "searing" heat without breaks. He was not allowed to rest and was housed in poor housing. He did not have sufficient food or water. After 9 months in Qatar he started experiencing symptoms of kidney failure and now undergoes regular dialysis which is free of charge, but he struggles to pay for medication, transport and snacks for each session.
Companies
Asia Link Services
- Recruiter
Other
Not Reported (
Construction
)
- Employer
Affected
Total individuals affected:
Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
1
- Nepal
, Construction
, Men
, Unknown migration status
)
Issues
Right to Food
,
Access to Water
,
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions
,
Illness
,
Restricted access to medicines
,
Recruitment Fees
,
Contract Substitution
,
Heat exposure
,
Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time
,
Wage Theft
This report is the third from the Vital Signs Partnership, a coalition of human rights organisations working to research the deaths of migrant workers in the Gulf states, and to promote enhanced protection for workers’ health. Our first report attempted to quantify and explain the deaths of lowpaid migrant workers in the six states of the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) and identified serious and systematic problems in the manner in which deaths are investigated in the GCC. The second described the various barriers that prevent workers from accessing non-emergency healthcare in the region and identified these as a factor in the exceptionally high-rate of unexplained deaths of migrant workers.
In this report, we explore how extreme temperatures and the Gulf states’ abusive labour practices combine with devastating consequences for the health of migrant workers. We find that long-term exposure to extreme heat leads to chronic health problems which require lifelong treatment
