[Arabesque]

Originally Posted by GOTFIVEONIT

but the way the u.s. government looks at it, and this is thier view not mine, is that they have thousands of troops in these gulf countries protecting them from invasions by Iran, and keeping all the rulers of these countries in power. So they feel that those same rulers owe them at the same time.

If the rulers were paying from their own pockets, that's their own business. But they're not. They're using the national treasury to pay money that can be used to improve education, healthcare and the countries' infrastructure.

People demonstrate daily in Bahrain because of poverty and unemployment. It is unbelievable how an oil-rich Gulf country can be so poor. The UAE is probably the only Gulf country with a majority of financially comfortable citizens. Of course things were much better when Sheikh Zayed was alive, but life is still better in the UAE than in other Gulf countries.

Also, someone should tell the US, we're begging you not to station your troops in our countries or defend us. We've had some of us target your troops to explain that to you in action, since they seem to be lost in translation all the time. Can someone suggest a better way to show the dumb Americans the way out?

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Originally Posted by Arabesque

Governments won't do anything. They'll do very little, especially in the UAE (and I can only talk about the UAE really). First of all, they want to attract business. The ones who run construction companies are rich businessmen from India, the UK and a few well-known Palestinian individuals. To start a business in the UAE, you need an Emirati "partner". The "partner" is a paper-requirement and only receives a commission for the license issued by the UAE's Ministry of Labour, which otherwise would not license a business without that Emirati partner.

The government will readily punish UAE nationals for any abuse, because they know that no matter what, UAE nationals will not shift their business to another country. With foreigners, it's risky. The government wants profit. They like to interfere very little in private companies that are run by foreigners, in order for them to stay and create more business. It's a nice place for greedy people, I admit. No taxes, long-leases, minimum government interference, no minimum wage laws ... etc. People in the government are probably thinking, "If their own governments don't care about them, and their own people are abusing them, who are we to interfere?"

That's not to say the government hasn't done anything to look good in front of the international community. They are fining violating companies that do not give mid-day break to labourers. They've opened, for the first time, a new department in Dubai Police (The Human Rights Department), which deals with such abuses by sponsors. I can testify, having worked there, that they do a lousy job. But that's a good start. People do come in and complain.

ya in India its the same thing for a foreigner to do business you need a sponser/ partner. Thats because of the history of British Imperialism and the economics regarding that, which left the country in devasting poverty. however someone like myself is exempt from those rules of doing business in India, if i pay for a "PIO" card, which is a person of indian origin card, issued to anyone who can trace Indian ancestry going back five generations. Of course the dam card costs like $500 bucks and its only worth it if a.) you travel there alot - which i never do or b.) you plan on investing over there, such as opening up a clothing factory.

You know the Indian newspapers are full of news stories on how hard the labor is in the Gulf. How many people work all day in the hot sun, etc. It's not to bash the Gulf, i think its to show the average person dreaming of striking it rich in the Gulf, that its not as easy as they might think it is.

in this paper from Hyderabad Siasat there is even a Gulf section which discuses alot about working in the Gulf.

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Originally Posted by Arabesque

If the rulers were paying from their own pockets, that's their own business. But they're not. They're using the national treasury to pay money that can be used to improve education, healthcare and the countries' infrastructure.

People demonstrate daily in Bahrain because of poverty and unemployment. It is unbelievable how an oil-rich Gulf country can be so poor. The UAE is probably the only Gulf country with a majority of financially comfortable citizens. Of course things were much better when Sheikh Zayed was alive, but life is still better in the UAE than in other Gulf countries.

Also, someone should tell the US, we're begging you not to station your troops in our countries or defend us. We've had some of us target your troops to explain that to you in action, since they seem to be lost in translation all the time. Can someone suggest a better way to show the dumb Americans the way out?

with the politics of oil, its not likely that they will leave anytime soon. But Bahrain ran out of oil in the late 70's. From what i saw when i stopped over there it looked like a modern wealthy nation. but im not surprised if there is poverty and unemployment there. But the good thing that I am amazed at the UAE is that it relies only on 10% of oil for its total income. That the oil money is used for investments in the non-oil sector which is generating even more money for them. Dubai today is being called the Hong Kong of the middle east. It's a shame that other Gulf countries didnt follow the same economic policies and continue to rely heavily on oil profits.

[Arabesque]

Originally Posted by GOTFIVEONIT

in this paper from Hyderabad Siasat there is even a Gulf section which discuses alot about working in the Gulf.

Ok, I just came across this about abuse in Saudi:

Siasat

Before Anderson slashes me with the razor of his tongue, I must apologise for hijacking the thread.

One of our helpers, who is a Muslim, once told me that she expected to be asked for "special services" by my father. Now naturally, I was disgusted and angered by her cheap suggestion. She explained by saying that at her previous employer's house in Saudi, she was asked to provide such services for her employer (who also asked her not to inform the wife) because her employer - who according to her was a "sheikh" (of questionable morals) - managed to convince her that she was an "ammah" and as someone whom "his right hand possesses", he was permitted to be intimite with her.

So if you have men who pretend to be religious, yet firmly believe they have such divinely-bestowed powers and privileges, you'll surely have abuse as well.

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Originally Posted by Arabesque

Ok, I just came across this about abuse in Saudi:

Siasat

Before Anderson slashes me with the razor of his tongue, I must apologise for hijacking the thread.

One of our helpers, who is a Muslim, once told me that she expected to be asked for "special services" by my father. Now naturally, I was disgusted and angered by her cheap suggestion. She explained by saying that at her previous employer's house in Saudi, she was asked to provide such services for her employer (who also asked her not to inform the wife) because her employer - who according to her was a "sheikh" (of questionable morals) - managed to convince her that she was an "ammah" and as someone whom "his right hand possesses", he was permitted to be intimite with her.

So if you have men who pretend to be religious, yet firmly believe they have such divinely-bestowed powers and privileges, you'll surely have abuse as well.

it goes on in India and Pak too who employ maids.

[GOTFIVEONIT]

but my point of posting the link to the newspaper is that i read alot of stories where they show that life is not easy, you cant strike it rich in the gulf as so many people in india think. and i think thats a good thing, because i have relatives who dream of 'amreeka' and think coming here that they will strike it rich like they won the lottery or something.

Kerala Muslim NGO charters aircraft to helps 165 Indians leave UAE

Uncertain future is amnesty seeker’s worry as he prepares to return home

Kingdom Wants More Time to Resolve Case of Maltreated Maids

Over 23,000 'illegals' make use of amnesty in Sharjah

Siasat

Siasat

[Anderson]

Originally Posted by Arabesque

Ok, I just came across this about abuse in Saudi:

Siasat

Before Anderson slashes me with the razor of his tongue, I must apologise for hijacking the thread.

One of our helpers, who is a Muslim, once told me that she expected to be asked for "special services" by my father. Now naturally, I was disgusted and angered by her cheap suggestion. She explained by saying that at her previous employer's house in Saudi, she was asked to provide such services for her employer (who also asked her not to inform the wife) because her employer - who according to her was a "sheikh" (of questionable morals) - managed to convince her that she was an "ammah" and as someone whom "his right hand possesses", he was permitted to be intimite with her.

So if you have men who pretend to be religious, yet firmly believe they have such divinely-bestowed powers and privileges, you'll surely have abuse as well.

I wouldn't slash you with my razor tongue, atleast not for hijacking a thread maybe if you murdered someone I liked then I would.

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Domestic help: how trafficking takes place?: IBNLive.com > Videos - video report



NO MERCY: Supplying child labourers as domestic workers is big business for agencies in Delhi.

Domestic help: how trafficking takes place?

Neeti Tandon / CNN-INDIA

Published on Sunday , September 02, 2007

Chattisgarh: Young girls being brought to delhi, being forced to conceive, their babies being sold to prospective buyers.

Sita Minj can't hold back her tears. Her 11-year-old son Bikram was taken by an agent took him to Delhi as a domestic servant. Today all they have is a visiting card of the agency.

Bikram's father says, “When I tried to call on the phone numbers I had been given they said my son is not there.”

Ghursai Lakda's 8-year-old daughter is also missing.

Ghursai says, “The agent took my daughter later he threatened me that if I register a complaint with the police, I will not be able to see my daughter ever again.”

The list available with CNN-IBN shows that over 700 children are missing from Sarguja district in Chattisgarh. And this village, Cheerapara, is missing no less than 64 of its children.

It is from poverty stricken tribal villages that young girls are duped by agents and taken to metro cities to work in high profile houses as domestic maid servants.

Father Theodore Lakda runs Aasha Association, an NGO, which rescues child workers trafficking from Chattisgarh.

Theodore says, “20-30 per cent of those who leave never return.”

Fourteen-year-old Snehlata was one of the lucky few who returned.

Snehlata says, “I did not get any money. I was not allowed to meet my parents when they tried to bring me back.”

Snehlata was beaten, harassed and made to work for almost 18 hours a day.

“Once he beat me so much that my ear was swollen. I can't hear properly ever since, Snehlata adds.

Supplying child labourers as domestic workers is big business for agencies in Delhi. Young tribals work as agents for these agencies and are paid to supply children to them.

The agencies keep no records and the parents rarely go to the police. How then will the ban on domestic child labour be implemented?

[GOTFIVEONIT]

YouTube - Refugees Turn To Prostitution

[MossadConspiracy]

most of those girls got pushed into prostitution by their families to keep the family from starving to death, but they are all gonna die after the war ends