Researcher(s):
Nicholas Sievers Mamelang Memela Curtis Hall Kassie Kometani
ENVS course(s): 330 Initiated: February 2018 Completed: March 2018 Go to project site
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Throughout the world, many oil rich countries depend on the use of migrant labor workers to participate in the primary sector of work where there are low skilled jobs. These jobs are often crucial to help maintain and increase their economic growth. The intent of this paper is to evaluate the media portrayals that surround these migrant workers and to examine the impacts of their working conditions. To frame this project, we ask the question, "what are the portrayals of migrant laborers in oil-rich countries?" We first evaluate the steps that media groups engage in to attempt to shift these perceptions and investigate the current demographics of migrant labor populations. Additionally, we theorize that the portrayals of migrant laborers in the United Arab Emirates have negatively shaped their treatment through the rationalization of abuse. Second, we ask the focus question, "How might media portrayals of migrant workers in the UAE shape the way migrant laborers are perceived?" Our findings support the idea that migrant laborers are portrayed as dirty in the poor work settings created by the companies they work for. Finally, the documentaries themselves portray the migrant workers as abused and helpless. This provides their viewership with an emotional pull to provide support, and in the eyes of the documentary hopefully raise their voices to end the poor conditions they face.