Bitter truth

Everybody wants to become rich and popular. It's the dream of every common man to earn more than what he earns today! Although most hope to make their fortune in their own countries, others think of trying their luck overseas without fully understanding the risks involved in operating in an unknown and completely different environment.

Working in the Gulf is still a dream of millions. A large number of people arrive on the shores of the Gulf countries without knowing the grim realities of what awaits them. A majority of people that arrive to work in the Gulf work in various capacities in companies. Some end up working as  tea boys, some as drivers/cleaners while others end up as  mechanics and other minor jobs in order to make ends meet. A small room accommodating more people than it can take ends up as their 'homes.' They live a hard life just so that they can give a comfortable life to their families back home, Some get trapped with visa traders and half their annual income goes into paying for their residence permts while the other half is spent on supporting  their families and themselves. The strong ones survive while the weak ones break down.

All these people are very important in everyone's lives. Without them, its almost impossible for the general population to live a comfortable life. However, unfortunately, these hardworking and honest people are called labourers and treated in a different manner compared to a banker or a trader.

written by Shaheen Sayyed