Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Disease flicker, doors hang from hinges and holes in the walls reveal pipes in an apartment building where Hesham, Egyptian migrant worker, lives in Dubai, Emirate, better known for his lightning skyscrapers and balance.
His two bedroom rental unit is cut up to nine other men, and what he calls home is a modified wardrobe that is large enough for a mattress.
Now, however, the government has ordered a 44 -year -old seller from even a cramped space, which costs him $ 270 a month. He is one of many low -paid foreign workers involved in the coping of Dubai authorities for an illegal sublease.
These include rooms, lined with bunk beds that do not offer any privacy, but are as cheap as a few dollars a night, and apartments such as Hesham’s, where plywood boards, drywall and plastic shower curtains can turn 10 or 20 people into a flat dormitory.
After June Blaze’s heights, Dubai officials launched a campaign for concern that the divided apartments are at high risk of fire. Some of the evicted ones remained hurt to remain on the streets, where begging is illegal. Others are afraid that they may be further, unclear when or where inspectors may appear.
“Now we do not know what we will do,” said Hesham, who stays until his landlord evoke him. Like others in the cheapest Dubai and the most congested spaces, he spoke to the Associated Press condition that his name is used only for fear of entering the crossing of authorities, which is insured for illegal housing.
“We have no other choice,” he said.
The Dubai municipality, which oversees the city state, has refused an AP request for interview. In his report, he stated that the authorities conducted inspections throughout the Emira to reduce the risk of fire and safety – she said “will ensure the highest standards of public security” and will “reinforced the quality of life of tenants”. It does not consider where those who cannot afford legal housing will live in a city country with luxury synonym, but prohibits labor unions and guarantees that there is no minimum wage.
Dubai boom increases rent
From the pandemic, Dubai has seen a rise that shows no signs of stopping. It is projected that by 2040 Its $ 3.9 million The population will increase to 5.8 million, when more people move to a commercial center from abroad.
Most Dubai real estate markets provide long -term wealthy foreign specialists living there. This leaves several accessible options for most employees-gract in temporary, low wage contracts, often earning only a few hundred dollars a month. Almost one -fifth of the house in Dubai has been worth more than $ 1 million since last year. USD, said real estate company Knight Frank. Creators race to create more high -end housing.
This constant growth meant increasing rent. Short -term rent is expected to cost 18% more by the end of this year compared to 2024, according to Colife, Colife. Most of the migrant staff with whom the AP said said they only earn from $ 300 to $ 550 a month.
According to them, in lower income areas, the divided apartment area is usually rented between $ 220 and $ 270 a month, and one undivided room is half as much. Both can cost less if they are shared, or more, depending on the size and place. In any case, they are much cheaper than the average one -bedroom rent, which ENGEL & Völkers real estate said it was around $ 1,400 per month.
The United Arab Emirates, like other Gulf Nations, depend on the low -paid employees from Africa and Asia to build, clean, educate and drive taxi. Only the Emirati Nationals, for which foreign residents exceed almost 9 to 1, can receive many government benefits, including financial support for housing.
Large employers, from construction companies and factories to hotels and resorts, are required to accept employees by law if they are paid less than $ 400 per month from which they send home to families abroad.
However, many migrants work unofficially, making their lifestyles hard to regulate, said Steffen Hertog, a London School of Economic and Political Science Bay Labor Markets expert. Coping will increase their housing costs by creating “a lot of stress for people whose life situation is already insecure,” he said.
Hassan, a 24 -year -old security guard from Uganda, shares a bed in a divided apartment with a friend. So far, the government has not found it, but it has reason to be nervous, he said.
“They can tell you to leave without choice, without anywhere.”
Fires remain a threat in Dubai
Dubai was directed to congested apartments in the past, in multifaceted high -rise fires, promoted by flammable siding. The latest check tour took place after the flame in June. In the 67 -story tower in the neighborhood of Dubai Pier, where some apartments were split.
According to a police report, more than 3,800 residents were forced to evacuate from a building with 532 occupied apartments. This means that seven people lived on average in each of these units in the tower of one, two and three bedrooms. Dozens of houses remain uninhabited.
There were no major injuries in that fire. However, as early as 2023. Dubai killed at least 16 people in the historic neighborhood of Diera and injured nine more in the unit, which is believed to have been divided.
Ebony, a 28-year-old Odd-Job employee from Ghana, has recently been forced to leave a divided apartment after the authorities have learned about it. She lived in a narrow space with a roommate who slept above her on Jerry’s plywood loft bed.
“Sometimes you even get up,” she said, “your head will hit the plywood.”
She is now in a new apartment, one room with 14 others – sometimes more than 20 when people come and go out, sharing beds. With about $ 400 a month, she said she has no choice and is afraid to be forced again.
“I don’t know what they want us to do. Maybe they don’t want most people here in Dubai,” Ebony said.