ID :
351706
Thu, 12/18/2014 - 10:13
Auther :

Migrant Majority Dubai Beckons Visitors

By Norsyafawati Abdul Wahab PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The sight of glass covered skyscrapers competing one another to reach the sky above in the new section of the town and the charm of the thoroughfares in the old town leaves visitors to Dubai spellbound. Visitors to this wealthy city in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) will also observe another unique feature of the city, its migrant population that outnumber the locals. This writer was at the city in mid November and found that it was hard to see any locals in the streetS. Even in hotels, shopping centres or customer service counters one will only come face to face with Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis and Filipinos who represent bulk of the migrant work force in the country. In fact the foreigners outnumber the locals seven to one and one may even get the feel that Dubai has been colonised by foreigners. However, Dubai's locals have established their dominance through their involvement in private business ventures and public service administration. U.A.E that was once dependent on petroleum income has now diversified its economy with services and tourism industry along with its high value real estate. DUBAI FROM THE EYES OF KASSIM Kassim, 29, who hails from Pakistan was this writer's guide in Dubai. He has been in the city for the last 10 years and was the best person to give this writer an insight into Dubai's transformation over the last decade. Kassim, like the rest of the migrant population in Dubai, arrived here with his father to seek greener pastures. However, life here is a challenge for the migrant workforce. "Here, everything is costly even a bottle of mineral water does not come cheap," said Kassim adding that the rent for a small flat could cost an average of AED6,000 AED per month (US$1,633), an exorbitant sum for people like him who only earnS about AED2,500 (US$680) per month. To save on rental, he shares a flat provided by his employer with 10 other colleagues and cooks daily to save on cost. THE NEW AND OLD DUBAI According to Kassim, the old part of Dubai is were the migrant workforce live and the new section with the modern landscape is where locals and foreign elites live. The new town is where the iconic landmark of Dubai, the 163-storey Burj Khalifa is located. At 828 metres it is the tallest skyscraper in the world and its view dominates the landscape. Kassim bore witness to the rapid transformation underwent by Dubai over the decade and the massive influx of the foreign migrant workers especially the Filipinos in search of employment. "Dubai has seen tremendous changes, even the bus stops here are air conditioned, there is the metro and monorail system. This is where luxurious apartments and seven star rated hotels can be found," he pointed out. "The Dubai leaders are visionaries, they have transformed the desert into an oasis of buildings and greeneries," he said referring to the new part of the town that was once a barren desert. DUBAI IS CLEAN AND PEACEFUL The colours, smell and the view of the older section of the city reminded this writer of Jalan Masjid India back home where foreigners dominate the demography. The only difference is that here it is clean, free from stray cats or dogs and even beggars. When the writer enquired with Kassim on why there is no beggars here, he replied; "Dubai is a rich state, the migrants come here only to work and in fact there is no zakat beneficiaries in Dubai". Even thefts are rare here and this writer dares vouch for this fact after seeing a mother leave behind her purse and her child while praying in a musollah (surau) located within a shopping complex. DUBAI IS VIEWED WITH ESTEEM BY FOREIGNERS Kassim went on to explain that foreigners have high regards for the customs and cultures of the people of Dubai. Women are accorded great respect here with dedicated taxi service for women and reserved seats in busses for women. The humble guide said laws were strictly enforced in the country. "If we breach the speed limits, we will be fined hundreds of Dirhams," he said adding that the highways in Dubai have speed trap cameras and drivers have to comply with the speed limits. Apart from this, the cars on the road appear clean and not covered by grime or dust as dirty cars will be fined. When asked if he enjoys working in Dubai, Kassim who has a wife back in Pakistan replied: I would work here as long as I have the energy". -- BERNAMA

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