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Where Friday get-togethers are source of some relief

DUBAI/SHARJAH — It's lonely out here. Even this bustling city cannot lessen my yearning for my home and family, but I'm sure that my family does not miss me though they might miss the money I send them every month if I don't send it ...

That is lament of the expatriate. And every Friday, hundreds of expatriate blue collar workers meet at different public places in all the Emirates to catch up on the latest. They eagerly look forward for the day every week. For it is only on Friday that they can have some time for themselves, they can meet up with friends from the village or state they hailed from, do some essential shopping, send money home ...

These community gatherings play a pivotal role in reducing the loneliness of these workers by allowing them to keep in touch with recent happenings back home. They also help in further strengthening their bonds with the country they love so much. Brought over from their camps — twice a week — in buses provided by their companies, they get a chance to exchange parcels as well as information about their loved ones in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

"When you are up at 5am and work without taking a break all day long, even have to stay back for over-time sometimes, then all you can think of at the end of the day is getting something to eat and then sleep," says Ganesh.

Interestingly, all these men believe that fate has brought them here and they have never considered the fact that they can ever be allowed to bring their families here and lead a happy life.

Would life have been different if they were allowed the privilege of staying in the country with their families?

"Families here? This thought has not even crossed my mind. I am thankful to God for being given me the opportunity to come here. Bringing the family is a thing I never thought of,” says Ganesh.

Accepting what fate has dealt them makes matters kind of serious for these people. “Kya karen ji?” (What can we do?) is their favourite response to the question. The fatalism also helps them psychologically, makes it easier on them. "This is how we are meant to spend the rest of our life," they say.

Entertainment for them is sleeping till late in the morning on their day off, playing cards, listening to music, watching TV and venturing out for a couple of hours.

Labour camps in the country do not offer much in terms of entertainment. "I stay in a labour camp made out of brick and cement," says Mohammed Sharif, who instantly becomes the envy of others standing beside him, who say they were not so fortunate — with most of them saying that they lived in cabins made of wood, some of them lacking even the most basic neccesities.

For most, even Friday spells work. The only day when they can finish off a few of the scores of essential chores that they cannot do on weekdays. "I have to send money back home today. I need to finish off some important shopping. I have to meet my friend and collect some sweets from him that my mother has sent for me,” they chorus, citing different reasons for their presence.

"I have spent so much money to come here, so I cannot complain that I am unhappy. My goal is to earn as much as I can, save most of it and send it back home so that my family can live in comfort. I also have to pay back loans I took to come here,” says Ganesh.