no//free//exits

There is this gigantic signboard at the Burj Dubai construction site that says something along the lines of “This construction site has had zero accidents.”

I’d like to know how Samsung Corporation defines an ‘accident’. I’m eyewitness to at least two accidents. Once, it was a worker cutting his finger off. Granted, Samsung can’t exactly be held liable for that. They have an excellent safety induction programme. You can’t blame them if workers don’t follow instructions. I’ve heard a lot of ‘rumours’ about people falling off and dying. But you can’t blame Samsung for any of that. Continue reading »

written by theplasticpoet \\ tags: Accidents, Burj Dubai

A tribute to the nearly 7,000 workers building the Burj Dubai.

Most of these are severely underpaid, earning under US$500 a month. Apprentices, also known as ‘helpers’, are paid an average of US$250 a month. Their living conditions are sad. Up to 12 people share a room, where there’s hardly any breathing space for anyone. Hygiene is horrible. The concentration labour camps are overflowing with rats.

And most of them don’t even know what accident insurance even means. Please raise your voice for the men in blue. They made this country, not bearded capitalist wizards clad in white robes.

written by theplasticpoet \\ tags: Burj Dubai, human rights, workers

So I got myself a security pass for Dubai Airport. It gave me access to the arrivals and departures area. I just couldn’t go through passport control. Which isn’t a big deal anyway. I learnt quite a few things in my 24 hours there. Like DNATA is synonymous with incompetency.

Here are some facts you should know about Dubai airport:

• The air filters in the smoking rooms don’t work. Some of the smoking rooms don’t even have air filters.
• The ‘24/7 tourist information desk’ was unmanned for 9 hours.
• It is fairly easy for someone to move between the departures and arrivals areas without being stopped.
• The staff at the immigration desk are extremely unprofessional, rude, and have a less than passable knowledge of visa procedures. Their English language skill is also severely lacking.
• There are plasma screens in the departure are that are supposed to play movies. Instead, they flash a “NO SIGNAL” sign.

These and a few other problems really put DNATA to shame. Although most of the other issues aren’t as serious or annoying, they can pretty much get on your nerves if you’re on a long transit. Like unclean bathrooms. But an unmanned 24/7 tourist desk? One wonders how much tourism revenue is lost to these ‘minor’ management issues.

It’s about time DNATA wakes up. They’re sleeping on the fine line between slacking and professionalism.

written by theplasticpoet \\ tags: dubai airport, incompetence, travel