Some areas of ICAD better than others, say workers

Workers read the booklet on the New Labour Regulations during a second phase of the launched campaign.

"I was living in Al Mask before and I was really happy because it was comfortable and we had our own kitchen. But my employers moved me to another room in Al Dhabi because they said the cost was too high for them," said Rashid Hasware, who has been working as a site coordinator in the UAE for the past 13 years. He earns Dh6,000 a month, and said he used to be more comfortable in his previous room.
Both Al Mask and Al Dhabi are located at ICAD, a residential city for workers and located in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. It covers an area of 1,000,000 square meters, and offers a comprehensive range of amenities - recreational and business - to complement the residential area.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of 'Know Your Rights' campaign on Wednesday in the industrial town of Mussafah, labourers from India, Pakistan and the Philippines said the living conditions are different in different areas in ICAD. For example, some accommodations do not have the kitchen facility near their rooms.
"A kitchen is a necessity and should thus be provided for each room. At the moment we have to walk for about 10 minutes just to reach the shared kitchen," some of them said. "It can be a hassle for many workers who do not have their own kitchen, and it is even more strenuous having to walk a distance in the heat to reach the eating facility," said the 36-year-old Hasware. "Sometimes it takes up to 10 minutes just to reach the kitchen, which is shared by many people."
Omar Kutty, who has been working in Abu Dhabi Oilfield Service for 11 years and currently as a bus driver, also earning a salary of Dh6,000 per month, said although ICAD provides facilities, such as supermarkets, ATMs, laundry and sport areas, ensuring that all workers have an equal and comfortable living is crucial.
"The place provides everything we need, but it lacks a kitchen for each room." He noted that Al Mask and Al Naseem have better rooms than Al Dhabi and Al Yas, despite the fact that all four are located in ICAD. "We can't even take the food to our rooms to eat, we have to eat in a shared area," added the 40-year-old. "Some rooms have eight people sleeping in them."
On the other hand, however, two Filipino workers living in Al Mask, said they are comfortable with their living arrangements.
Chito Ludobice, who has been working for Tomco for the past 11 years, said his employer has ensured that he lives comfortably.
"I'm really satisfied with my room, we have our own kitchen and bathroom and it's fully furnished. Our employer even provides us with transportation," noted the 39-year-old.
Julius Ceazar, who has been in the UAE for almost two years, said although he is comfortable with what his employer has provided him, he believes that building more recreational areas is necessary as it will help ensure that thousands of workers living at ICAD are fit and healthy.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation told Khaleej Times:
"According to the regulations applied in the Cabinets Decision No.13 of 2009, Cooking and food preparations are set according to specific standards, Labour cities management in Abu Dhabi, which is the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones, prevents cooking inside accommodations avoid any sorts of life threatening situations or damages."
"However, it has been noted that in the first labour city created, there were several kitchens installed within the labour accommodations all set according to specific monitoring systems and standards by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority and the Civil Defence, the set was temporarily until the concerned authorities fit food courts for everyone at special hosting arenas, the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones has posted a deadline to complete the court and abide to safety laws," added the official.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi