Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
Escape Artist
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • News
    • Field Notes
    • Trending
  • Your Escape Plan
    • Finance
    • Real Estate
    • Second Citizenship
    • Digital Nomadism
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Scandinavia
      • Spain
      • UK
      • Rest of Europe
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • El Salvador
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Others
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • North America
      • South America
  • Travel Tips
    • Know Before You Go
    • Packing List
    • Food + Culture
    • Health + Wellness
  • Subscribe
👤

LIFE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

THE NUMBER ONE SOURCE FOR EXPATS, DIGITAL NOMADS, AND DREAMERS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Your Escape Plan

Dubai: The View From Inside, Part 1

  • October 24, 2014
  • BY Don Halbert
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Dubai: The View From Inside, Part 1

Excerpted and adapted from the ebook “The Insider’s Guide to Living in Dubai, UAE” by Kelly M. Barker.

As the insider’s guide, it is important to note that Dubai is an incredible city and is the pacesetter for the region. However, all of that must be tempered with a bit of realism of the difficulties of an emerging country that tightly held onto the reigns of its population and power.

Censorship In Dubai

There is censorship that still exists in the newspapers; much of what really occurs doesn’t get printed unless it is “good news”. The internet has censorship of sites that Dubai feels doesn’t support Islamic values. Many of them have internet browsers shaking their heads. I recall wanting to check out “belly dancing” sites to see about classes or videos to try and downsize my waist. Imagine my shock at receiving this message. Just for belly dancing??? Of course, dating and marriage sites, anything with S*X in the name, or even an indication that the site would contain anything inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political, or moral values – and there is a block applied.

The Immigrant Labor Force In Dubai

The immigrant labor force, whether construction workers, housemaids, drivers, or nannies have been subjected to exploitation from their employers, and in recent months there have been demonstrations (which are illegal) because they have not been paid their wages for months at a time. This movement for demonstrations has assisted in getting their plight known to the public. But, despite a “name and shame” policy as stated by the Dubai government, most times the problems are quietly resolved. If an Arab owns the company, which is most often the case, only the initials of the company or company owner will appear in the newspaper.

Many of the worksites are unsafe and there is an absence of safety equipment which is very noticeable. For your own safety, do not go around any building sites.

For the second summer in a row, the municipality has called for a work stoppage for the outside labor force from 1 PM till 3 PM. However, most companies ignore the ruling and the municipality doesn’t have enough enforcement officers – so the workers remain toiling in the incredible summer heat.

Bachelors are migrant workers who are in this country on work visas with families to support back home. As in most eastern cultures, they live in communal groups. Dubai doesn’t want the low-end workers in the city and water and Electric services are often cut to “bachelor housing”. The Emirate doesn’t want them in the city, and this is the way to force them out. This is creating a huge problem as Dubai has no homeless population, but because of the way that the Municipality is handling this, there are now large groups of wandering persons who are here to work, but have no place to live.

I found this great podcast by The Expat Money Show –  Laszlo Kiss on the best European Passports

Other Restrictions

Access to your passport is also a problem, as it is a standard policy for all companies to hold all passports to eliminate runaway employees. The Europeans have a bit more leverage to retain their passports, but it is a very common practice by all employers to keep them locked away.

VOIP technology such as Skype is blocked in the local areas but is accessible in the areas where the expats generally reside.

Opening bank accounts, getting residence permits, work permits, internet access, and other government and quasi-government provided services are all difficult and time-consuming. Most of the government jobs are held by locals and the education level and customer service level is not on par with highly developed countries.

In the next article in this series, Kelly explains more about housing options, insurance issues, and the balance between nightlife and security. Click here to continue reading “Dubai: The View From Inside, Part 2.”

For more information on moving overseas, please check out The Expat Money Show with Mikkel Thorup 

Please visit Amazon to purchase Mikkel’s #1 Best-Selling book Expat Secrets. and follow Mikkel Thorup on Twitter @ThorupMikkel

I hope you enjoyed reading this article: Dubai: The View From Inside, Part 1. If you have any questions, please contact our office HERE.

I’ve included some great articles for you to read, enjoy!

20 Reasons Not To Move To Dubai (In No Particular Order)

10 Things You Should Definitely Know Before Visiting Dubai

Expat Unemployment: What To Do If You Lose Your Job Overseas

A Complete Guide To Buying Property In Dubai

If you’re considering traveling or moving abroad, be sure to explore your healthcare options. Visit International Citizens Insurance to learn more and get a free quote.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Dubai
  • finding a home
  • local government
  • local laws
  • managing your career
  • passport
  • staying in touch
  • UAE
Previous Article
  • Food + Culture

Typical Food In Paraguay

  • September 11, 2014
  • BY EA Editors
View Post
Next Article
  • Australia

Renting or Buying in Australia

  • April 24, 2015
  • BY EA Editors
View Post
You May Also Like
Tunisia, North Africa - One of most affordable Countries to live
View Post
  • Plan B
The Most Affordable Countries to Live in 2025
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • July 30, 2025
View Post
  • Interviews
The House We Rebuilt in Georgia
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • July 28, 2025
Where old walls meet new beginnings, the €1 home story continues to unfold.
View Post
  • Field Notes
Inside Italy’s $1 Home Revolution
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • July 21, 2025
View Post
  • Interviews
Meet the Legal Strategist Guiding Portugal’s New Wave of Expats
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • July 19, 2025
Reduce Your Taxes by Moving Abroad
View Post
  • Plan B
Legally Reduce Your Taxes by Moving Abroad
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • July 16, 2025
Mauritius – One of the best Island to Live for Remote Workers and Retirees
View Post
  • Plan B
The Best Places to Begin Again
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • July 9, 2025
The first glimpse of possibility—abandoned, broken, waiting.
View Post
  • Field Notes
How an Abandoned House in Spain Changed Everything
  • BY Isha Sesay
  • July 7, 2025
best place to retire
View Post
  • Plan B
Retiring Abroad: Where Can You Actually Afford to Live?
  • BY EA Editorial Staff
  • June 18, 2025
Trending Posts
  • The historic harbor blends Ottoman architecture with modern Mediterranean charm. 1
    • Cyprus
    Cyprus’s Forgotten North
    • July 25, 2025
  • Tunisia, North Africa - One of most affordable Countries to live 2
    • Plan B
    The Most Affordable Countries to Live in 2025
    • July 30, 2025
  • 3
    • Interviews
    The House We Rebuilt in Georgia
    • July 28, 2025
  • Portuguese Foods to try 4
    • Food
    For the Love of Portuguese Food
    • August 1, 2025
  • Digital Nomad Van Life 5
    • Digital Nomadism
    The Ultimate Van Life Guide for Digital Nomads
    • August 4, 2025
InterNations
Know Before You Go
  • Digital Nomad Van Life 1
    • Digital Nomadism
    The Ultimate Van Life Guide for Digital Nomads
    • August 4, 2025
  • Tunisia, North Africa - One of most affordable Countries to live 2
    • Plan B
    The Most Affordable Countries to Live in 2025
    • July 30, 2025
  • The historic harbor blends Ottoman architecture with modern Mediterranean charm. 3
    • Cyprus
    Cyprus’s Forgotten North
    • July 25, 2025
  • Mauritius – One of the best Island to Live for Remote Workers and Retirees 4
    • Plan B
    The Best Places to Begin Again
    • July 9, 2025
  • The True Cost of Leaving America 5
    • Interviews
    The True Cost of Leaving America
    • June 25, 2025
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
Why Subscribe

The newly imagined Escape Artist brings you fresh content with a global focus, and sharp, up-to-the-minute coverage of the joys, challenges, and opportunities of life abroad.

For a limited time, we’re offering a special discount on all subscription deals, so be sure to lock-in these incredible savings and start receiving top-notch travel and expat content today!

Sign up for the EA Newsletter

Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Escape Artist
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimer

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Newsletter Subscription
Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/