HRW: Louvre Abu Dhabi 'tainted' by worker abuse
In light of the official opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum to the public this Saturday, human rights groups have denounced the allegedly blatant human and workers’ rights violations which have taken place behind the scenes of the construction of the museum. With over 90% of the UAE’s workforce consisting of migrant workers, abuses of workers’ rights are a salient aspect of the country’s economy. Under the Kafala sponsorship system, individuals who migrate to the UAE to work are essentially allowed to work in the country at the whim of their employers and can be deported and barred from re-entry for demanding their rights. A February 2015 report claimed that museum workers were frequently forced to labor under hazardous working conditions, had their passports confiscated, and were often shorted their wages. While the UAE has faced immense pressure to reform its labor laws and adhere to international human rights agreements, the country’s culture has led to a severe fear of retaliation from the government should activists and laborers speak out.
See "HRW: Louvre Abu Dhabi 'tainted' by worker abuse", Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, November 10, 2017