As War Chills Economy, Dubai’s Most Vulnerable Bear the Cost
When the war with Iran began in late February, customers hunting for bargains on designer wares stopped coming to the Outlet Mall Dubai and a saleswoman named Marjorie was forced to go on leave for a month…
The war has nevertheless taken a toll on the economy in Dubai, one of the major financial powerhouses in the region, and especially on the tourism and hospitality industries…
Dubai’s most vulnerable workers, like Marjorie, who power lucrative industries such as construction, hospitality and tourism, have lost jobs, been furloughed, had their wages cut and even been temporarily sent back to their home countries without pay…
Muhammad Faisal, a 45-year-old construction worker from Sri Lanka, has been placed on leave from his job since the start of the war. Though he is still receiving his salary, there are no more opportunities for overtime, which he relied on to supplement his salary of 1,600 dirham a month, about $435. Most of that, he said, he sends home to Sri Lanka to support his wife, two children and his in-laws.
Mr. Faisal doesn’t know how long he will be on leave, especially because the import of construction materials has been hampered by the conflict…