Where are the UN, the WHO and the concerned civilized nations? Of course, turning their backs on this situation. Why? The rich from the rich countries have profited from these ventures and exploited the life out of these deceived, now unemployed workers, and nobody with any power to do anything really gives a shit.

*shaking head*

http://www.dubaicityinfo.com/news/newsDetailPop.aspx?newsid=59462&PCODE=NATION

Grim existence of Sonapur's homeless poses a health risk

Dubai: The situation of hundreds of illegal and homeless Indian workers living in cardboard huts in Sonapur could create a health hazard, a Dubai Municipality official said.

Waiting for responses to their applications for emergency certificates from their consulate to leave the country, the workers have set up small huts of 100cm by 150cm, with a height of 70cm, after being laid off and thus failing to pay for bed space. At night, eight workers squeeze into each hut, while by day they linger outside waiting for a solution to their problem.

Some of the workers sleep outdoors on blankets or mattresses and in some cases on cardboard amid litter, empty bottles and a terrible stench filling the area. When they need a bathroom, they go to one of the very few cafeterias in the area.

Salem Bin Mesmar, the assistant director-general for the Health, Safety and Environment Control Sector at Dubai Municipality, said the living conditions of the workers were unacceptable.

"Their living conditions may cause a health hazard. It is not acceptable for anybody to live under such circumstances and we need to find a solution for them until they depart," he said.

Dubai Municipality has asked the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai (PCLAD) to look into their plight.

"Addressing their problem is beyond the authority of the municipality as their case is complicated and involves many government bodies. Therefore we asked PCLAD to intervene as the committee have representatives from all entities including the Ministry of Labour and [the] Dubai Residency and Naturalisation Department and they promised to look into the problem," said Bin Mesmar.

Gulf News tried to contact the Ministry of Labour but its officials were unavailable for comment.

Surprisingly, no one has fallen sick despite the bad hygienic conditions. However, workers are worried about their health if they are forced to maintain their wretched existence till summer.

"It is God's gift to us in our misery that no one has fallen sick but the question [revolves around] what will happen to us when it gets hotter if we have not managed to leave before that," said one of the workers.

Shankar, who once worked for a contracting company, absconded three years ago and took up temporary jobs such as waitering as he was not satisfied with the salary. However, he has not been able to find a job and became homeless a month ago.

"My last job was as a watchman and I used to earn Dh900. All my saving[s] are with my family so when I stopped working I did not have money for food and shelter and have to stay here," he said.

His former employer still holds his passport so the only way he could exit the country is through the consulate.

Ravi Lambani, who has lived illegally in the country for almost a year, is one of the few people who obtained an emergency certificate since January but he does not have money for an air ticket.

"I will stay here until I can collect the money or receive help from the consulate," he said.

Venu Rajamony, the Indian Consul-General in Dubai, said the consulate was not aware of the problem of this specific group.

He, however, confirmed an increase in the number applications for emergency certificates.

"We are currently receiving 150 out-pass applications daily and I would not be able to know if this group have applied for out-passes unless I get all their names.

"However, we are trying to quickly process all applications but the problem is that the local procedures for clearance are, in some cases, extremely slow," he said.

A local charity gives them rice and dahl once a day.

"In addition to food, we are also coordinating with the consulate to help them with the out-pass and air tickets," said Y.A. Rahim, president of the Indian Association in Sharjah.