Exploitative Conditions for Migrant Workers in Renewable Energy Projects Uncovered in UAE

Migrant workers in the supply chains of solar and wind projects in the United Arab Emirates are facing exploitative conditions, including recruitment fees, wage theft, and illegally long working hours in dangerous heat, according to a recent investigation by human rights group Equidem.

The investigation interviewed 34 migrant workers from South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa who were employed by 10 major renewable energy developers operating in the UAE. These workers were employed by 14 local subcontracting companies, including solar installers, technicians, and firms providing services such as transport, security, and cleaning.

Two-thirds of the interviewed workers reported experiencing wage theft, while half said they worked illegally long hours. Many workers also reported being charged recruitment fees, which is illegal in the UAE and can lead to debt bondage. Some workers also said their passports had been illegally withheld.

Equidem’s chief executive, Mustafa Qadri, described the findings as “shocking” and highlighted the violations of UAE labor law and international standards that were identified in the report. The investigation found that the conditions faced by these migrant workers matched 10 of the 11 International Labour Organization’s indicators of forced labor.

The renewable energy sector in the UAE has seen rapid growth in recent years, but this growth has been built on the exploitation of migrant workers, according to Qadri. Workers reported workplace discrimination, violence, harassment, and inadequate living conditions and food allowances.

The report also highlighted the health impacts faced by workers who are exposed to extreme temperatures while working on renewable energy projects in the desert. Workers reported suffering from heat stress and other health issues due to the long hours and lack of breaks.

The investigation also revealed the opaque nature of the supply chain in the renewable energy sector, with multiple layers of outsourcing that make it difficult to track contractual ties between workers, subcontractors, and major developers. This lack of transparency increases the risk of abuse and exploitation.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, which co-authored the report, called on companies operating in the renewable energy sector to conduct human rights due diligence and mitigate the risks posed to migrant workers in their supply chains. Only Masdar, a state-owned company in the UAE, responded to the findings, stating that it is committed to safeguarding the rights of all individuals, including migrant workers.

Overall, the investigation sheds light on the challenges faced by migrant workers in the renewable energy sector in the UAE and calls for greater accountability and transparency to ensure the rights and well-being of these workers are protected.