Lay offs, shrinking job markets and inordinate delays in payment of salaries are forcing expatriates from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka into crime.

The number of ‘Khaliwallis’, everyone agrees, has risen sharply in recent times. Khaliwalli is the term used for people who may have a valid visa or work permit but are no longer working for the company with which they are legally under contract to work in the UAE. Under the local law, they are expected to leave UAE within a month of losing the job. But many of them stay back and look for employment elsewhere.

In their eagerness to repay loans and send back home some money, they get on the wrong side of the law and get involved in clandestine activities like selling illicit liquor. While selling liquor alone is not deemed that serious an offence, fighting or rioting under the influence of liquor are viewed very seriously by the authorities here.

Significantly, the operators behind the huge liquor and drug trade in the UAE rarely get caught. Khaliwallis are the ones who do the illegal work and pay for it.

A visit to one of the workers’ camps here turned out to be revealing. Those employed by good credible companies have well furnished single room or two room apartments fitted with air-conditioner, television and a furnished kitchen. Each apartment is shared between four to 10 people depending upon the size of the apartment. But living conditions for others are quite bad.

Not many khaliwallis were ready to speak, apprehending immediate deportation and blacklisting. But some of the expatriates alleged that their employers had not paid their salaries. “We are starving. Some of us have taken to bootlegging and other illegal activities.

Unfortunately, we are being exploited not just by the locals but by companies owned by our own people from India and Pakistan,” said one of them. “They keep our passports and force us to accept whatever pittance they give us as our salary. Some provide paid accommodation while others leave it to us to organise our own board and lodging. A reasonable room in a workers’ camp does not cost less than UAED 300a month,” he added.

“The bootleggers make about UAED 2500 to 4000 a month. There are risks involved. But in any case, since deportation is only a matter of time, they take their chances. Three months in prison are not such a big deal if they are able to sell liquor for a few months and make enough money,” explained another worker.

Ironically, labour laws are tilted in favour of the workers. But most workers avoid going to the court lest they rub the employers and agents the wrong way. They are also unaware about the location of the court or procedures.

Bindu S. Chettur, a lawyer of Indian origin, maintains that workers invariably get redressal of their grievances and justice is done in case any employer fails to honour the terms of the contract. But most of the workers fail to even get in touch with the Indian consulate, which has started a radio show where questions from Indian workers are answered.

However, things are much better now than what they were some months ago. Most of the leaders of the Indian community also suggest that some awareness and training camps must be held in India before skilled and unskilled labour is allowed to go abroad for work.