Synopsis:
A film investigating how multinational companies have been abusing of Asian construction workers labouring in the Gulf.
Using secret filming techniques and exclusive interviews the film reveals how workers, usually from small villages in Asia, are persuaded to pay huge sums of money to secure a job in the Gulf. Only on arrival do they discover it will take years for them to repay the sum.
The film, for the first time on an Middle Eastern network, raised issues about underpayment, withheld pay, union representation and deaths in the workplace. The most compelling case examined was that of Thanegavel Selvakumar who committed suicide at his labour camp in Dubai in 2005. In his suicide note he cited his inability to meet his repayments for the money he borrowed to get his job. The film takes the viewer to his village in Tamil Nadu, India to hear how his family have been affected by his tragic death.
The film raised awareness of the issues around labour to unprecedented levels and generated press coverage in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The film has been shortlisted for the main prize at the upcoming Al Jazeera Documentary Film Festival.
Festivals
Al Jazeera Documentary Film Festival
Synopsis:
A film investigating how multinational companies have been abusing of Asian construction workers labouring in the Gulf.
Using secret filming techniques and exclusive interviews the film reveals how workers, usually from small villages in Asia, are persuaded to pay huge sums of money to secure a job in the Gulf. Only on arrival do they discover it will take years for them to repay the sum.
The film, for the first time on an Middle Eastern network, raised issues about underpayment, withheld pay, union representation and deaths in the workplace. The most compelling case examined was that of Thanegavel Selvakumar who committed suicide at his labour camp in Dubai in 2005. In his suicide note he cited his inability to meet his repayments for the money he borrowed to get his job. The film takes the viewer to his village in Tamil Nadu, India to hear how his family have been affected by his tragic death.
The film raised awareness of the issues around labour to unprecedented levels and generated press coverage in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The film has been shortlisted for the main prize at the upcoming Al Jazeera Documentary Film Festival.