Dubai Cracks Down on Illegal Sublets, Displacing Thousands of Migrant Workers

Dubai's government has launched a widespread crackdown on illegal subletting in response to fire safety concerns following a high-rise blaze in June. This campaign targets overcrowded and partitioned apartments where low-paid migrant workers, like Hesham, an Egyptian salesman, live in cramped conditions that can house up to 20 people in what were originally two-bedroom units. Many workers face eviction and have limited options for affordable housing, with some fearing homelessness as begging is illegal in the city. Despite the municipality's stated goal to ensure public safety and improve tenant living standards, it has not addressed alternative housing solutions for those unable to afford legal accommodations amid rising rents. The crackdown highlights the stark contrast between Dubai's luxury image and the harsh realities faced by its migrant labor force. Workers remain uncertain about when inspections might occur and where they will go after eviction, underscoring an ongoing housing crisis for the city's most vulnerable residents.