Pinoys, other workers forced to spend nights in ‘burning rooms’ in UAE

Filipinos are among hundreds of Asian workers now suffering from the summer heat at a camp in Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, a UAE news site reported.

A district cooling malfunction had kept the workers from getting some sleep in their quarters amid the heat, Gulf News reported last Thursday.

“Sleep has become a luxury for us. The temperature in my room is unbearable, I wake up sweating,” said Alan, 36, a Filipino pipe-fitter.

He said he has had problems focusing on his job because of this.

Alan is one of the workers of Gulf Marine Maintenance and Offshore Service Co (GMMOS), a Jebel Ali-based firm.

The Gulf News report said an inspection report dated June 18 showed up to 40 rooms in the camp, which the company leased in January, had insufficient cooling or the air-conditioner is only on fan mode.

“Lack of sleep is a welfare issue, but it is also a safety issue,” added Albino Allado, the company’s health, safety and environment manager.

He said the company was now looking for another accommodation, but added this was easier said than done.

Imtyaz Mohammad Petkar, 53, the camp's manager, added: “Our camp is burning, our people are unable to sleep.”

“Our people here are suffering. They work hard under the hot sun during the day. We have been complaining to the landlord’s representative, and he keeps promising they will fix it. I’m very upset about the whole situation,” he added.

Pails next to beds

The report said some workers in one of the rooms kept pails of water next to their beds in hopes it could cool the air around them.

Others sprayed water on themselves before lying on a mat on the floor, while many set the ceiling fan at high speed.

Some sleep in the camp’s mess hall, but have to wake up early as the catering staff would deliver breakfast at 4 a.m.

The workers are transported by bus to an open-air metal fabrication shop, where work starts at 6 a.m.

The Gulf News report said the landlord, company managers and the district cooling provider, Emicool, had been passing the blame.

It quoted Malik, the landlord’s representative, as saying the problem actually affected 80 rooms at the far end of Emicool’s district cooling network.

Emicool faced a water shortage due to a burst water distribution pipe that had caused flooding near Ibn Battuta Mall.

“We’ve had this situation since May,” said Soujan, a quality control engineer who stays on the fourth floor of the building.

On the other hand, Dino, 27, an Indian nurse, said the air-conditioning technicians blamed them for opening the windows. — LBG, GMA News

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