{"id":601,"date":"2021-09-05T11:47:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-05T10:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/?p=601"},"modified":"2021-09-18T12:03:25","modified_gmt":"2021-09-18T11:03:25","slug":"we-are-starving-here-nigerians-in-uae-lament-work-permit-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/?p=601","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We Are Starving Here,\u2019 Nigerians In UAE Lament Work Permit Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Akinola Ajibola<\/strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>Updated September 5, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Work Permit: Nigerian Migrants Appeal To UAE Government\" width=\"770\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RDUHSk9Ae2M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It\u2019s been a tough period for many Nigerians living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially those in Dubai, as they lament the loss of jobs and difficulty in obtaining a work permit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bisi Kazeem, one of the affected Nigerians, believes authorities in the Middle East country are punishing them for the sins of a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs far as I\u2019m concerned, I can only say maybe it is one out of 10, or 10 out of 100 Nigerians that are doing the bad things,\u201d he told&nbsp;<em>Channels Television<\/em>. \u201cEvery other person is facing his\/her job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She continued: \u201cIt has not been easy at all. I have been feeding from hand to mouth. Even as I speak, in the next two to three days, the rent here will expire. I don\u2019t even know how I am going to pay the owner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reports of a ban on work permits for Nigerians living in the UAE first surfaced over two months ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Work-Permit.jpg\" alt=\"A screengrab of a message sent to one of the Nigerians whose application for a work permit was denied.\n\" class=\"wp-image-602\"\/><figcaption>A screengrab of a message sent to one of the Nigerians whose application for a work permit was denied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, hundreds of legitimate workers have lost their jobs, or have been unable to secure new employment. The effect, for most, has been devastating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are starving here,\u201d Azeez Akogun, a technician, said. \u201cWe are facing a lot of stress. A lot of people are being frustrated; I am being frustrated. Every day, being at home without any income; so, it\u2019s kind of crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI never had any issue with my company,\u201d said Olabanji Folorunsho who is still in shock after he was relieved of his security job. \u201cNot a single warning letter from my company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>An Attack On Migrants?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Officials at the Nigerian Embassy in the UAE say they are doing everything in their power to resolve the issue, but the question the victims are asking is for how long?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am begging them (UAE authorities) to lift the ban so I can continue my job,\u201d a disturbed Kazeem pleaded. \u201cThey should just pity we the innocent ones so that in the nearest future, one will not become a destitute or a nuisance in the land of UAE.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-606\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1.jpg 650w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1-300x162.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1-370x199.jpg 370w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1-270x145.jpg 270w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-Dubai1-570x307.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption>Nigerians in Dubai are appealing to the UAE government not to punish them for the offences of a few others.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Crime rate is said to have been rising among foreigners in the UAE. Earlier this year, videos surfaced online, showing the aftermath of a violent cultist-related altercation linked to Nigerians \u2013 an incident many believe has now led to work restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, in February, it was reported online that an Indian was robbed of Rs 55,30,806 by four Nigerian women in Dubai. The 33-year-old man was reportedly lured into a fake massage parlour through a dating app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following an investigation, Dubai Police say three women were arrested in Sharjah \u2013 a city also in the UAE \u2013 in connection with the crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amid concerns raised by law-abiding Nigerians and nationals of other African nations said to have also been affected, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and ImpACT International released a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/euromedmonitor.org\/uploads\/reports\/AfricanWorkersEN.pdf\">joint report<\/a>&nbsp;on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The document, titled \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/euromedmonitor.org\/uploads\/reports\/AfricanWorkersEN.pdf\">They told us that they hated black Africans<\/a>,\u201d contains alleged widespread state-sponsored violations of human rights on African migrant workers in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the international bodies, the report was compiled based on about 100 interviews with migrant workers from Nigeria, Cameroon, and Uganda, and over 20 of those who spoke confirmed a massive campaign of arrests against African workers in the UAE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Work-Permit1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-608\"\/><figcaption>Authorities sent a message to an applicant after his application for a work permit was denied.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2018They Were Just Laughing At Us\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The workers said the attacks, carried out on June 24 and 25 allegedly by authorities, were planned, targeted, and racially motivated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At least 800 workers were reportedly taken over the course of two nights, with an unknown number still under detention. Many were said to have been deported despite having valid residence visas and\/or work permits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI was kidnapped on 25 June at 2am on my bed sleeping,\u201d Melachio Carlos, a Cameroonian who worked as a waiter, was quoted as saying in the 54-page report. \u201cThey took me and asked about my ID, passport, valid residency permit, and phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey stole everything in my room. They beat me and took me half-naked, only with my sleeping clothes, to Al Wathba prison in Abu Dhabi. We arrived there and they put us in prison. They also took our wives, some of them were pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey took us to the prison, and when we got there, they did not give sanitary pads for the women who were doing their menstrual cycle,\u201d a Ugandan nanny, Catherine Kuheisa, said. \u201cBlood was running down their legs and when we went to ask for pads, they were just laughing at us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-609\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai.jpg 650w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai-300x162.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai-370x199.jpg 370w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai-270x145.jpg 270w, http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/09\/Nigerians-In-dubai-570x307.jpg 570w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><figcaption>Nigerians in Dubai say it is a tough time for them in the UAE following the reported ban on work permit by authorities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) is responsible for issuing work permits to foreigners willing to work in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the law of the country \u2013 Article 1 of Ministerial Decree No. 766 of 2015, a worker whose employment is terminated due to contract expiration can get a new work permit whenever he\/she wishes to join new employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The law also allows an employee to get a new work permit for all limited and non-limited contracts if it is determined that the employer has failed to meet the legal and contractual obligations, among other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In his reaction, the UAE Ambassador in Nigeria, Dr Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, stated that the said ban is not official and not from UAE authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cFrom what I believe as an official position from the UAE, the UAE is a very welcoming country. We have no discrimination against any nationality,\u201d Taffaq said in a conversation with the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/www.channelstv.com\/2021\/09\/05\/we-are-starving-here-nigerians-in-dubai-lament-work-permit-restrictions\/\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Akinola Ajibola&nbsp;&nbsp;Updated September 5, 2021 It\u2019s been a tough period for many Nigerians living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially those in Dubai, as they lament the loss of jobs and difficulty in obtaining a work permit. Bisi Kazeem, one of the affected Nigerians, believes authorities in the Middle East country are punishing them [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-comment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=601"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":612,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/601\/revisions\/612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.avtuae.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}