Introduction
As the dawn spreads out its light in the pensive horizons of Dubai, the city embraces another day carrying new untapped opportunities for many. Amidst the city’s modern landscape there lies a unseen yet most important workforce of Dubai which plays a big role towards making a thriving economy of the world. Behind the city’s glitz and glams lies the sweat and toil of thousands of laborers and dedicated workers labor and hard work and contributing greatly to Dubai’s economy which cannot be paid off in any from. Yes, these laborers are the gems of this magnificent city, known as a ‘land of opportunities’.
Discovering how a typical laborer or a worker spends his day in a labor camp would make us remind of their hard work and dedication they exercise in creating the very foundations of Dubai’s flourishing economy. Todays’ blog is dedicated all such unsung heroes by bringing their typical life into a spot light as we will offer a sneak peek into a typical laborer’s day at a labor camp in Dabai, revealing their day routine, challenges, hard work and resilience they show. Let us take you straight into their labor camp, witnessing a day in a life of a laborer and this tour will unveil a story of hardship, patience, resilience, hope and companionship. Here is a sneak peek of the day of a laborer living in a labor camp in Dubai.
Morning Rituals
A typical day at a labor camp starts early for majority of the laborers in Dubai’s labor camps. As the dawn breaks and the sun peaks over the horizon, the camp comes to life. Majority of the laborers wake up early in the morning to get them prepared well for the day ahead. In compact quarters, laborers perform ablution for the morning prayers with a shared bath room facility with many other laborers. There is a general labor camp practice that laborers gather in the morning, exchange greetings and share work stories of the previous day.
Light Breakfast
Doing breakfast is a plain affair. The labor camps’ breakfast usually includes bread, cheese and tea. In some labor camps, communal kitchens offer meals while others rely on having personalized cooking arrangements. Despite being a plain affair, on the breakfast, laborers like to gather around, share their previous day stories and enjoy company of their fellow beings at the breakfast tables before they head towards their work.
Commute to Work
Commuting to work, for many laborers involve hours-long hectic bus rides from the labor camp to their work sites mostly to the construction sites or the industry they work for all across the city. Laborers get themselves aboard into tightly-packed buses. They patiently endure this hectic daily commute, bring themselves under the scorching sun for a day labor.
Work Time
As the construction starts, laborers engage themselves in diverse on-site tasks from heavy lifting to craftsmanship. Whether it is pouring concrete, laying bricks or operating complex and heavy machines, every laborer plays a key role in the construction process. During the work time at site, the laborers keep taking short breaks to get themselves hydrated and take rest. Despite having big work challenges, they keep working with utmost diligence, well-driven by a promise of giving a better future for themselves and their loved ones.
Mid-day Break
As the sun reaches its peak, laborers take a mid-day break. Work is paused and the laborers find shade whenever they can, take a brief rest before resuming to their work. It’s a lunch time and now most of the laborers take their lunch, while the others just take a short nap, seeking shades from the tough heat.
Afternoon Shift
After the short lunch break, laborers resume their work for the afternoon shift. Despite having the signs of fatigue, sweat and toil they carry on their work and endure with un-feigned resilience. They continue with their heavy-weight work getting closer towards the day end.
Wrap-Up Time
As the sun sets upon Dubai, it is time to wrap-up work. Now these laborers wrap up their work, collect their work tools and prepare for their return to the labor camp. They are exhausted due to laborious day work. They start their bus travel back to their camp. Their travel time is long and tedious, but they endure with perseverance without complaints. After returning to their camp, they perform their evening rituals washing away the dirt and the dust of the day.
Dinner Time
Mostly the dinner is the wholesome and the largest meal of the day which incudes a much-required food after tough hours of day’s long work. Now the laborers gather in their spacious communal dining halls or at any outdoor spaces sharing their day’s stories and laughter with each other while enjoying wholesome meals. After having a full meal they take rest in their quarters for a downtime.
Reflection & Sleep Time
As the night befalls, the laborers reflect on the day’s achievements and challenges. They feel a sense of companionship and solidarity with their fellow workers who reside within that camp. In these quiet and peaceful moments, they reflect and fall asleep hoping for a brighter future as their hard work will never go wasted.
Conclusion
In the shadows of Dubai’s high-rise buildings, these laborers, these unsung heroes, forms the very basis of the city’s development and economy. They are without doubt, a symbol of hard work, determination and resilience as they face tough challenging working conditions. They bear the heat of extreme weathers but they never give up, continuously fueling the city’s economy with their blood and sweat. This dedicated workforce is worth-saluted for their un-wavering commitment, courage and contribution towards creating a prosperous Dubai. Let us never forget to honor their hard work by acknowledging their humungous contribution towards the city’s thriving economy. This is a story of determination, sacrifice and hard work of a laborer typically residing in a labor camp in Dubai- This blog has brought a sneak peek into an un-noticed gems of Dubai. As we continue to be mesmerized by Dubai’s architectural wonders, let us never forget the hands that have built them. Their story serves as a reminder for all of us to value empathy, solidarity and compassion for the human capital in building a more inclusive society. Let us draw inspiration from the determination and hard work of the laborers who continue to build the dreams even against all odds.