Dubai guest workers fired by text message

Posted By Joshua Keating Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - 4:47 PM Share

The Times of India reports that Indian workers in Dubai, visiting home for the Muslim holiday of Eid last week, were informed of their termination via SMS:

"It was early morning when I received a text message from my office, Al-Hamid, telling me that I need not bother returning to Dubai. My contract has been discontinued and my work permit stands terminated. It said my dues will be sent through post and my belongings will be duly returned,'' said Sajid.

The workers say at least 64 of them, all working in meltdown-hit Dubai, have received pinks slips through text messages.

The article doesn't say where the men worked or if their termination had anything to do with Dubai World's recent financial troubles, but the story is a reminder that it's not just high-level investors and owners of indoor ski slopes who are feeling Dubai's pain. Indian workers sent home $43.5 billion in remittances in 2008. So while the Emirate's change of fortune may not have systemic effects on the world economy, families throughout South Asia are going to be feeling it.

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, ECONOMICS

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December 4, 2009

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