HOW I ESCAPED FROM DUBAI 🇦🇪 THE DARK SIDE OF DUBAI NOBODY TALKS ABOUT

Summary

The video script reveals the 'Dark Side of Dubai,' where the speaker recounts their personal struggle as a hotel employee, highlighting the city's stark contrast between opulence and exploitation. They describe their experience of having their passport confiscated, working under harsh conditions, and the psychological manipulation they faced, which led to their eventual escape. The narrative also touches on broader issues of human trafficking and the plight of workers in Dubai's construction and service industries, urging viewers to recognize the hardships behind the city's glamorous facade.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker discusses the 'Dark Side of Dubai', highlighting the contrast between the city's luxurious image and the harsh realities faced by some individuals.
• 🗣️ The video is a personal account of the speaker's difficult experiences working in Dubai, suggesting that not all stories are as glamorous as the city's facade.
• 🛂 The speaker's passport was withheld by their employer, a common practice that can make workers feel trapped and vulnerable.
• 🏨 The speaker worked for Hilton in Dubai, but the video is not against the company; it's a critique of Dubai's policies and treatment of employees.
• 💼 The initial job offer was for a low salary but included accommodation and meals, which the speaker accepted for the career opportunity it presented.
• 🕰️ The speaker experienced long working hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day, during the pre-opening chaos of a luxury hotel.
• 🏜️ The accommodation provided was described as jail-like, located in a remote desert area, far from the city's attractions.
• 🤝 The speaker's co-workers, mostly from developing countries, worked under similar conditions, sending their earnings back home to support their families.
• 💔 The speaker felt mentally and physically exhausted, manipulated, and brainwashed by the management, leading to a breakdown.
• 🛫 The speaker managed to leave Dubai during a planned holiday, choosing not to return after realizing the extent of their mistreatment.
• 💼 The speaker's decision to leave resulted in penalties for their manager and co-worker, who were responsible for their return, which the speaker compensated for the co-worker but not the manager.
• 🏗️ The video also touches on the broader issues of labor exploitation in Dubai's construction industry and human trafficking, particularly in the service sector.
• 🔄 The speaker observes a demographic shift in the workforce from primarily Southeast Asian to a significant African presence over the past decade.
• 🌐 The speaker hopes their story can shed light on the issue of labor exploitation and human trafficking, which are global problems, not limited to Dubai.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the 'Dark Side of Dubai,' highlighting the author's personal experiences of exploitation and hardships faced while working in the hospitality industry in Dubai.

Why did the narrator feel the need to escape Dubai?

The narrator felt the need to escape Dubai due to the harsh working conditions, mental exhaustion, and the realization that they were being treated more like a slave than a human being or employee.

What was the narrator's initial job position in Dubai?

The narrator's initial job position in Dubai was as a front desk supervisor at the Hilton Residences, part of the Hilton Resort.

How much was the narrator's salary in Dirhams when they started working in Dubai?

The narrator's salary was about 2,500 Dirhams per month when they started working in Dubai.

What was the policy regarding employees' passports in the hotel where the narrator worked?

The policy was that employees had to leave their passports with the hotel's HR department. Passports were only returned when employees needed to travel outside of Dubai, and then they had to be returned after the trip.

Why did the narrator decide to stay in Dubai despite the difficult conditions?

The narrator decided to stay due to feeling manipulated and brainwashed by the management, who made them feel responsible and guilty for their team, as well as being young and not wanting to cause any drama on their first job.

What was the condition for the narrator to get their passport back for a holiday?

To get their passport back for a holiday, the narrator had to have two co-workers sign a document, taking responsibility for the passport. If the narrator did not return, the co-workers' salaries would be deducted as a penalty.

How did the narrator feel after returning to Italy from Dubai?

After returning to Italy, the narrator felt relieved and realized the extent of their miserable and brainwashed state during their time in Dubai, leading to the decision not to return.

What impact did the Dubai experience have on the narrator's career?

The Dubai experience had a significant impact on the narrator's career, leading them to quit the hospitality industry altogether and start their own business.

What other issues does the narrator mention as part of the 'Dark Side of Dubai'?

The narrator mentions issues such as the poor treatment of workers in the construction industry, human trafficking, and the forced labor of women in massage parlors and prostitution as part of the 'Dark Side of Dubai'.

How does the narrator describe the shift in workforce demographics in Dubai over the past 10 years?

The narrator observes a shift in workforce demographics from primarily Southeast Asian, Indian, and Pakistani workers to a significant increase in the number of African workers in Dubai over the past 10 years.