Dubai: “The land of opportunities” but not for everyone. “An analysis of the existent dichotomy between exploited immigrant workers and the advantaged foreign investors & companies”

Abstract

This final thesis is the result of my internship by the Italian Industry and Commerce Office in the UAE, in particular in Dubai. The personal analysis evolves around the dichotomy and extreme differences of both living and working conditions that exist between immigrant workers from poor and less developed Countries (namely India, Pakistan and Bangladesh) and foreign investors and companies that decide to set, run and enlarge their business in the Emirate at hand. These two “poles” of the examined dichotomy represent the main subject of the paper and it will be shown throughout the whole thesis that the former lack the economic and social advantages that are widely granted to the latter.

It will be explained that Dubai represents a real melting pot of different cultures, traditions and habits, as shown by factual data. Although more than 180 different nationalities live peacefully together, in Dubai there are not equal and right policies for everyone: low-skilled workers from poor and less developed Countries are not entitled to enjoy those benefits that are widely granted to foreign investors and companies.

The attention will then be focused on the other big subject of this thesis, that is the foreign companies and investors who arrive in Dubai with the idea of setting, running and/or enlarging their business. The promotion of several policies, strategies and campaigns are the clear evidence of the openness toward foreign investment of the Emirate at hand.

The last considerations will be based on a critical analysis: Dubai should make several social steps forward in order to be fully considered a real city of the future, as it wants to be recognized worldwide. The fostered policies should grant decent, fair and equitable rights both to immigrant workers and to the already favored foreign companies.