'I'm trapped:' the UAE migrant workers left stranded by Covid-19 job losses
Summary
Date Reported: 20 Apr 2020
Location: United Arab Emirates
Companies
Accor - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 2
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Nepal , Hotel , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Sri Lanka , Hotel , Gender not reported )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Withholding Passports , Personal Health , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre; Journalist
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Accor stated to the Guardian that they were providing all workers at their hotels with food and accommodation, and that no workers at either of the hotels was being made redundant. In response to the Resource Centre's invitation to respond to the workers' concerns regarding delayed final salary, recruitment debts and the impossibility of social distancing in accommodation, the company did not disclose further information beyond reaffirming that they are abiding by local labour law in all jurisdictions where they have properties.
Source type: News outlet
Bipul was earning AED 1,000 (£218) per month, working up to 11 hours a day, six days a week at the Pullman Hotel in Sharjah, which is managed by Accor...
Bipul’s final salary instalment and passport are being held by the company until flight restrictions are lifted... he is now stranded and penniless...
most hotels are shut, leaving very low paid migrant workers... stranded in the country with no prospect of earning...
Accor is still providing its blue-collar migrant workers with food and accommodation...
“No redundancies have been made at Pullman Sharjah and Marjan Island Resort & Spa as a result of the possible impact that Covid-19 is having on business levels,” said Accor in a statement. The company did not respond to questions about salary levels and working conditions.