Summary
Date Reported: 30 Jun 2020
Location:
United Arab Emirates
In June 2020, Migrant-Rights.org reported that at least 1,000 employees of UK-based security company G4S are reliant on community donations for food and other amenities after their contracts with the company were suspended or terminated in March. As per UAE law, the workers have remained in company accommodation, but have not received salary since March. Some workers have exhausted their end-of-service benefits on food.
Migrant-rights.org also highlighted that while the UAE response to the COVID-19 pandemic permits companies to renegotiate workers' contracts, it is unclear if G4S workers' suspensions are in line with the new regulations, as this requires workers' advance and written consent.
Companies
G4S
- Employer
Affected
Total individuals affected:
1000
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Egypt
, Security companies
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Pakistan
, Security companies
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Sri Lanka
, Security companies
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- India
, Security companies
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Philippines
, Security companies
, Gender not reported
)
Issues
Right to Food
,
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions
,
Personal Health
,
Wage Theft
Response
Response sought: Yes, by NGO
Action taken: The company is now funding the repatriation of workers whose visas have been cancelled, but some who remain report being transferred to accommodations where they are not permitted to use cooking facilities and air-conditioning does not work, although the company has said it will address it.
A spokesperson for G4S told Migrant-rights.org, “We have been proactively providing free accommodation, soap and hand sanitiser, and more than 40,000 meals in the past two months. We are also in the process of repatriating more than 900 people, regardless of cost. More than 450 people have returned to their country of origin so far, and a further 460 will return home in coming weeks... G4S has agreed with some employees to grant paid leave and/or unpaid leave to employees where there is no work for them to undertake."
G4S provided a statement including background information which can be read in full.