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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov 5. Your "deregulated free market capitalist bonanza" has done little for the actual residents of the UAE, who remain unemployed and poor as foreign workers flock into the country to work on the cheap.

Basically, yeah.

In fact, just a few days ago one of America's largest law firms, Latham & Watkins, issued a press release announcing a new office in Dubai (among other places).

http://www.lw.com/News.aspx?page=pr...blication=2113#

It definitely makes you wonder how much of that construction is really going to be used by homegrown businesses with actual UAE citizens working there...

That said, I do think that this sort of development represents a positive step for the UAE, even though most of the people there will not see much in the way of immediate benefits.

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Originally posted by Arbiter It definitely makes you wonder how much of that construction is really going to be used by homegrown businesses with actual UAE citizens working there...

The short answer is not much.

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Migrant workers comprise nearly 90 percent of the workforce in the private sector in the UAE. They are denied basic rights such as freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Human Rights Watch urged the UAE government to drastically expand its staff overseeing migrant labor treatment. According to government sources, the ministry of labor employs only 80 inspectors to oversee the activities of nearly 200,000 businesses that sponsor and employ migrant workers.

http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2006/03/28/uae13090.htm

Inflation is skyrocketing in Dubai but wages are not. Since migrants aren't allowed to join unions and often live on compounds on the cheap, indigenous workers are getting pushed out in favor of cheap labor from abroad. It's not a good situation any way you look at it.

It's true that the elite class has done quite well, but it's hardly a model of development that I'd like to see other countries follow. It is really a lot more like exploitation than development.

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I agree with Krypton here. The UAE has made the most of its natural resources. It has invested heavily in itself in order to transform into a very modern if not futuristic looking country, and the standard of living for the locals is high. Where are some of you getting your info that Emiratis are poor? Natives in countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have it quite good actually, both in terms of education and as far as job opportunities. These 3 countries are also a lot less strict then neighboring Saudi Arabia, and definitely much moreso then Iran. Even the non natives are treated much better in the UAE when compared to Saudi Arabia, and they make more money then they would back at home, whether they're from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or countries like Egypt.

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Originally posted by CHRles I agree with Krypton here. The UAE has made the most of its natural resources. It has invested heavily in itself in order to transform into a very modern if not futuristic looking country, and the standard of living for the locals is high. Where are some of you getting your info that Emiratis are poor? Natives in countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have it quite good actually, both in terms of education and as far as job opportunities. These 3 countries are also a lot less strict then neighboring Saudi Arabia, and definitely much moreso then Iran. Even the non natives are treated much better in the UAE when compared to Saudi Arabia, and they make more money then they would back at home, whether they're from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, or countries like Egypt.

yes

Alright, now here's the flipside. There's a darker side to Dubai's evergrowing wealth. You're welcome to read the following, but it's a LOT to take in all at once so don't blame me if your head explodes in the process:
http://newleftreview.org/?page=article&view=2635

PS yes I realize there's a darker side to the economic success of many countries, but this thread is about Dubai. Besides, this article hints at some of the problems found in other countries.

Happy reading,
Charles

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Originally posted by Lebezniatnikov You're missing the (multiple) point(s). 2. Iran has unfortunate... political... difficulties in exporting.

This point just undermined your whole argument...

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"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

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Originally posted by Fir3start3r This point just undermined your whole argument...

Not really - that statement was in regards to political constraints impeding Iranian development... it had nothing to do with Dubai but was merely a refutation of the comparison between the UAE and Iran.

The article Charles just posted is a good one, and illuminates many of the problems that Dubai is facing - the local population is by and large not affected by the construction of seven star hotels and luxury penthouse suites - those are all going to, and being built by, foreigners. Is that really a development model we want to see other countries follow?

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