Beer, whisky and betel leaves are on open sale, gamblers play cards for cash and there is no shortage of customers for illegal naswar chewing tobacco and cigarettes.
Welcome to Al Mafraq Workers City 2 on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, popularly known as Baniyas labour camp and a law unto itself.
On Fridays the camp bustles with temporary, unlicensed market stalls. Some are innocuous, selling fruit, vegetables and clothes. But others offer alcohol, gambling, even illegal open-air haircuts.
Abu Dhabi Municipality is well aware of what goes on and sends inspectors to stamp out illegal activity - but when the inspectors leave, it starts up again. "Labourers who come here to earn, we don't want to fine them Dh500 for each offence as they earn generally Dh1,000," said Khalifa Al Romaithi, the municipality's head of health and sanitation.
"We consider these workers as new to the country and its culture, so we want to help them. Sometimes we fine them but first we inform them, then fine," Mr Al Romaithi said.
Nevertheless, the law continues to be broken. In front of Al Madinat supermarket in the camp, more than 20 people were offering haircuts for Dh5, and a shave for Dh3 - a third of the price in salons - for those prepared to sit in the heat.
"Salons are expensive," says J Prasad, an Indian labourer whose Dh700 does not stretch to expensive, but legal, haircuts.
Other sellers were offering cans of beer for Dh10 and bottles of whisky for Dh20. Legally, alcohol can be sold only at licensed outlets, and only to those with a licence to drink it. One seller was unsurprisingly reluctant to talk: "If you want to buy, take it - otherwise move ahead."
Elsewhere, a dozen or so men sat round a card table, with money changing hands as a card game progressed. All gambling is illegal. When The National tried to talk to them, the players immediately dispersed.
Several people were selling naswar chewing tobacco, which is illegal, and cigarettes, which can be sold only with a municipality permit.
K Alam, a Bangladeshi labourer who has lived at the camp for two years, said the tobacco was brought in and sold by workers who live there and were never stopped by the security guards. Abu At the municipality, Mr Al Romaithi says: "People at labour camps come from different nationalities where there are no specific laws and it's allowed.
"But here it's different. People cutting hair outside, selling naswar - we have received complaints about it."
A campaign is planned for this month, in which more than 1,000 brochures will be distributed in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Arabic and English.
But Mr Al Romaithi accepts that enforcement is difficult when workers' wages are so low.
And the low wages are causing many to think twice about staying. With a heavy heart, RK Singh, a duct fabricator, will return next month to his native India after three years in Abu Dhabi.
He says poor pay and lack of work have removed the reason for being here. "I don't have any problem here," he said, "but if I am unable to save some money for my family back home, then what is the point of staying?"
He earns about Dh1,200 a month, of which Dh300-400 goes on phone calls and other expenses - leaving him only Dh800 or so to send back. And he is doing well; many others manage to send Dh500 or less.
He is not alone in believing it may be time to leave. Many Indian workers say lack of pay rises or overtime is eating into their ability to send money to their families. And with the Indian economy booming, they believe their prospects may be better back home.
When M Choudhry first came here, four years ago, his visa cost him 80,000 rupees (Dh5,200). He earns Dh765 a month as a labourer. "I can earn more than this in India," he said.
"In the beginning there was much work and every day I got two to three hours' overtime. But now there isn't much work." Nevertheless, he says, the company he works for is good.
JC, an Indian welder, earns Dh2,000 a month. He, too, is planning to leave because "we are unable to save money here".
"The cost of living is very high," he said. "Now, the situation in India has changed and we can earn this amount there."
This is borne out by the number of Indians coming over, which the Indian embassy says has fallen "due to the fact that economy back home is booming". It does not, however, keep data about the number going back home.
The grass is not so green back in Bangladesh, though, and while the camp's Bangladeshis also struggle to send much money home, they have fewer complaints. "My only concern is the lower wages and expensive living cost here," says MM, a Bangladeshi cleaner. He paid 250,000 taka (Dh11,200) for his employment visa and earns Dh750 a month.
Mr Alam is in a similar financial position, but is happy with the camp - except for the food.
"They serve us the same food offered to Indians and we have to eat it against our will," he says, with evident distaste.
Mohammed Nazmul Quaunine, the Bangladeshi ambassador, said his government was working hard to stamp out unscrupulous agents.
"It's allowed for agents to take 120,000 to 130,000 taka for an employment visa," he said. "But charging more than this is wrong. We always strive to curb that."
anwar@thenational.ae
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
The biog
Age: 46
Number of Children: Four
Hobby: Reading history books
Loves: Sports
Structural%20weaknesses%20facing%20Israel%20economy
%3Cp%3E1.%20Labour%20productivity%20is%20lower%20than%20the%20average%20of%20the%20developed%20economies%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20non-tradable%20industries.%3Cbr%3E2.%20The%20low%20level%20of%20basic%20skills%20among%20workers%20and%20the%20high%20level%20of%20inequality%20between%20those%20with%20various%20skills.%3Cbr%3E3.%20Low%20employment%20rates%2C%20particularly%20among%20Arab%20women%20and%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jewish%20men.%3Cbr%3E4.%20A%20lack%20of%20basic%20knowledge%20required%20for%20integration%20into%20the%20labour%20force%2C%20due%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20core%20curriculum%20studies%20in%20schools%20for%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jews.%3Cbr%3E5.%20A%20need%20to%20upgrade%20and%20expand%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20particularly%20mass%20transit%20infrastructure.%3Cbr%3E6.%20The%20poverty%20rate%20at%20more%20than%20double%20the%20OECD%20average.%3Cbr%3E7.%20Population%20growth%20of%20about%202%20per%20cent%20per%20year%2C%20compared%20to%200.6%20per%20cent%20OECD%20average%20posing%20challenge%20for%20fiscal%20policy%20and%20underpinning%20pressure%20on%20education%2C%20health%20care%2C%20welfare%20housing%20and%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20which%20will%20increase%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdited%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Idries%20Trevathan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hirmer%20Publishers%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Ready Player One
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Mark Rylance
England-South Africa Test series
1st Test England win by 211 runs at Lord's, London
2nd Test South Africa win by 340 runs at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
3rd Test July 27-31 at The Oval, London
4th Test August 4-8 at Old Trafford, Manchester
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
