Summary
Date Reported: 3 Apr 2020
Location:
United Arab Emirates
In March 2020, NGO Migrant Rights alleged a case of labour abuse and fraud against around 800 workers employed or recruited by Sea Bird Supermarket in Dubai, UAE. 800 workers, including 60 women, reported being stranded in Dubai. Some of the workers lacked access to food and all had paid large recruitment fees resulting in debts for many.
One worker alleged the case is likely to be a fraud case since the supermarket is unlikely to need such a large number of workers.
At the time of reporting, 25 of the workers were in urgent need of accommodation and food.
Companies
Sea Bird Supermarket
- Employer
Affected
Total individuals affected:
800
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
45
- Africa
, Retail
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
300
- India
, Retail
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
200
- Nepal
, Retail
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
200
- Pakistan
, Retail
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
50
- Sri Lanka
, Retail
, Gender not reported
)
Issues
Right to Food
,
Recruitment Fees
,
Contract Substitution
,
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions
,
Restricted mobility
,
Debt Bondage
,
Freedom of Movement
Response
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre
Story containing response:
(Find out more)
Action taken: Workers complained to the police who told them it was a labour case; when they tried filing a labour complaint they were told as it was a fraud case the police would be responsible. The supermarket's owner stated that they had only recently acquired the business; they claimed responsibility lay with the previous owner.
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reached out to invite Sea Bird Supermarket to comment on the allegations; it did not reply. In May 2020, Migrant Rights reported that the supermarket has since rebranded as Bluebird but the UAE Government has yet to resolve the issue.