A new study conducted by the Community Medicine Department of the United Arab Emirates University reveals that at least 25.1% of migrant workers are clinically depressed. The study was conducted on 318 labor camp workers using translated questionnaires. The abstract is available online, and the stud…
Archive for the ‘Gulf’ Category
25% of migrant workers in the Emirates are clinically depressed
December 15th, 2011
StopGAMCA.org
December 8th, 2011
The acronym GAMCA stands for GCC Approved Medical Centers Association and earns ire from many migrants and migrant hopefuls. GAMCA clinics operate by standardized guidelines set by the Gulf countries, and are the only medical facilities authorized to test and clear migrants for employment in the Gul...
Nepal to raise salaries for its citizens in the Gulf
December 4th, 2011
When a nation makes public commitments to improve the condition of its migrant population, there is often a large disparity between the language used and the action taken. But Nepal’s recent pledge to increase the salaries of citizens working in the Gulf may carry more credibility than most: Last...
Murder of a Kuwaiti woman may have lasting effects on migrants
November 24th, 2011
The murder of a Kuwaiti bride by her Ethiopian maid may have reverberating consequences for the nation’s migrants. The Ministry of Health intends to introduce a set of psychological evaluations that prospective foreigner workers must pass before their work visas are approved, adding to the al...
“Workers Emirates”
November 21st, 2011
Last week, CNN featured a collection of photography illuminating the ‘ghost’-like existence of migrant workers in the UAE. Photographer Philippe Chancel calls these cheap laborers “new slaves,” who underpin the Gulf’s hyper-development yet remain marginalized by society. His photog...
Murder in Kuwait
November 18th, 2011
Abusive employers Death Kuwait
An Ethiopian maid was murdered by her employer on Tuesday. The man beat her for over a week because she allegedly refused to work, and her injuries were so severe that she suffered from internal bleeding. She collapsed after arguing with the man while he attempted to “return” her to the recruit...
All Eyes on Rizana Nafeek
November 16th, 2011
General Legal cases Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is set to behead another migrant worker unless Sri Lanka can persuade authorities to grant Rizana Nafeek amnesty. Media outlets worldwide are monitoring the story closely as part of the mounting attention Saudi’s policies have received since the June execution of Ruyati Binti Sapubi. ...
Indonesia reevaluates bans, Saudi Arabia & related policies
November 14th, 2011
The Philippine’s 41-country ban (and subsequent deferral) made a splash last week, sparking discourse among different government agencies, migrants, and activist organizations. Though critics deemed the measures superficial, the sheer number of countries blacklisted have invigorated demands for mo...
Another Story of TB and Discrimination
November 4th, 2011
Recently, we reported Yanita’s experiences with the Gulf’s unfair and overzealous Tuberculosis (TB) deportation policies. Mark, a migrant worker from Manila, shares his own, similar encounters with the GCC’s TB laws below: Mark was first diagnosed with minimal pulmonary TB in September...
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