Having a soft spot for Dubai it pains me to comment on the massive ethical shortcomings of the entire region. The sheikhs are WAY too powerful and rule like a dictatorship despite holding up the front of democracy (sounds like Bush!). The people that are building this city are third class citizens, slaving for little wages in inhuman heat (expats: dont go out at all in the heat of the day; labourers: work all day in the heat in dangerous situations for no money and your not allowed any of this glamour you are building). Labourers are forced to work and pay off debts, they cannot leave as the construction companies confiscate passports as soon as work is started – they are imprisoned in Dubai! – and the Dubai no one wants you to see ; take a trip out to a labour camp one time, youll never look at the city the same way again. Thousands of labourers are killed through heat and exhaustion and inadequate accomodation, these deaths are called accidents and thus the figures never provoke the outrage they should. Next time your at the top of the Burj think of the people that died for this place – not an honourable death by any means in that they are not only not-acknowledged for their work; they are in fact hidden.

Remember Dubai is built on credit – not actual cash. If the world gets its arse in gear and builds alternate fuel technology Dubai is going to be the most bankrupt country in the world!

The environmental suicide the place is going through is beyond belief – its a desert for christs sake! Water should not be as readily available as it is, its very unnatural. Dubai has NO natural water sources (rainfall,reservoirs,underground water), it takes massive amounts of sea water and desalinates it – causing ridiculous amounts of CO2 to be released, never mind ecological factors of processing all this water after the population has used it – the sewage system of Dubai is in meltdown due to the unprecedented growth in population, check out the sewage lapping up against Jumeirah beach – my old surfing haunt :(

Yes the west is as bad if not worse than Dubai for being arrogant, but our mistakes should be learned from. And all the emiratis telling us westerners to shut it as if Dubai collapses it will become another terrorist stronghold – be careful, you are becoming EXTREMELY western in your hands-off attitudes to the injustices which you yourselves are promoting. Be proud of your countries achievments but keep it in check and be active among causes that better everyones experiences of the place – not just the tourists and expats.

I used to love Dubai but now its just a vulgar playground for the rich – all the charm has gone…

http://www.independent.co.uk/o.....64368.html

I agree with Jake Lockley’s comments regarding Dubai’s Expatriate Human Right malpractice. This country REALLY does not respect HUMAN RIGHTS to ordinary people like what had happended to my friend. I angrily say that because he was a victim of unjustice and unscrupulous deeds. He had complained his Indian and Arab employers for unpaid salary. The Labour Department instructed him to put it in the Court for proper judicial. He won in the Lower Court for UNPAID SALARY and again he won in the Court of Appeal filed by his employer for refund of payment of UNPAID SALARY. His case gone through the Higher court because his employer filed a case against him for ABSCONDING. Happily, he still got a positive decision made by the Higher Court. The Court says ” HE IS ENTITLED TO HAVE ONE WAY TICKET OR UNLESS HE FINDS ANOTHER JOB”. But, while he presented himself to the Ministry of Labor for cancellation with the presence of his employer, MY FRIEND got a ONE YEAR BAN even he showed them the three original copies of Court’s Order. The irony of it all, He was sentenced to a LIFETIME BAN in Dubai because his employer is a high top ranking Immigration Officer. His employer still insisted that he is ABSCONDING even though he was not able to proove it in the Court. He got his passport in the Releasing Section of Dubai immigration for cancellation but he refused to go for EYE SCAN. He was asked by the Officer in Charge then to go back to Labour Department for LIFTING THE BAN. My friend approached the Undersecretary of Labour in Dubai but his pleading was denied and in vain. He went to the Immigration Court in Dubai Courts to release his money kept by the treasury but again denied. I would say that DUBAI does not have DUE PROCESS OF LAW. My friend is available for comment at Mobile No. 050-9496490.

Is it true that ex-pats are fleeing in droves? One sees media reports, but media is known to exagerate to sell a good story!

Curious…

Andi

sam

What ever comments ppl have posted here.

But one think is sure after all these developments Dubai has no other source of income instead of attracting ppl for property
business.

I live in Dubai and its expansive like hell with no such benefits for expacts.

So u ppl can think who wants to migrate here. I m not discouraging anybody but u will realize when u will be here.

Later PPL

However, the total disregard to environmental impact and community consultation is horrendous.

Dubai has potential but it has to work out some issues, as well as muslim world and the west too, Human rights and enviromental, but its a glimpse at ultimate human potential if we can all work together ,west ,east, mideast

And I see the fact to make UAE or Dubai specifically perfect is construction and development but the biggest fact is safety UAE is the most country safe in the world .And that what Europe and American ppl said who live in UAE. One day I forget my car open
and work for 24 Hour and it still like what I leave it.Our home doors are open because we feel safe.

thanks

That is not true at all!!
I am a local Emarati girl (21year). My city is Dubai. I can go to university, drive my own car, choose my future husband, and so forth..

and this situation for most females in the UAE.

Islam has never prevented us from our rights. Islam gave us the rights that we woudn’t dream about if we were not Muslims.

yes we as Muslim females cover our hairs and wear prudish clothes because it is part of our Islamic rules that we are proud of.

Yet, we enjoy our life, go shopping, travel, and have good education. We LOVE our country and believe it is the best.

I personally never like to be like most western women who like to show they are free by wearing nothing!! and live with men without marriage. Women in the west are taught to think about making money because they want to be treated equally as men. whereas, we as Muslims have a rule that men are the ones who are responsible to make the money.
I can work and have a salary, but yet the man is responsible to pay for everything.
so, I believe I am lucky ^_^
———
The best thing about Dubai is not the tall buildings and amazing archticture, but it is the fact that people from all over the world live here in harmony.
We respect all nationalities and don’t have problems with people who have different religions and cultures.
——-
Those who say that the UAE dosn’t help poor people who starve from poverty are wrong. The UAE spends billions of Dirhams to help Muslim and non-Muslim people around the world.
It is one of the priority of our leaders to help needy people around the world and they encourage the citizins to help by designing campaigns to collect money for poor people. And don’t forget that we are Muslims, and it is part of our religion to help needy people. So please don’t just say things that you are not sure about.

Bist Regards from Dubai
^_^

It is an absolute joke for us to criticize anyone anymore and it comes off making us look even more deluded. Lets clean up our mess at home (thank you Republicans…) and then maybe in 20 years we can tell someone off for their cultural and political practices.

As for Dubai, ROCK ON!!! man those buildings Fff-ing RULE! and it is a very wise decision on your parts, because lets face the oil is running out and your taking the necessary steps to ensure your future, hats off and Ill be in like Flynn in 2050, Bravo

Our world is so divided and it scares me to death to know I am an American.

Go Dubai, thrive on and continue to be a light to all of the cities (and I mean all of them).

I would love for our country to become neutral and loved by all, but the only realistic option is getting out of here.

Please know, all non-americans, that my generation (I am nineteen) is trying to change and our nation is NOT behind our government as much as they would like you to think.

Peace.Love.and Prosperity

Alex

Dubai was NOT built on US money and a few troops. Stop being bigots. Do I need to remind you whose backs the United States was built on? The government of the UAE is taking major steps to change the way migrant workers are treated.

Ian