Jerry-Rigged Apartments Raise Dubai’s Migrant Housing Alarm.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates | July 28, 2025

Unsafe Jerry-Rigged Apartments Under Dubai Fire Department Scrutiny

Following a severe high-rise fire in June, Dubai officials uncovered widespread use of jerry-rigged apartments across the city. These makeshift units included wooden or plastic partitions crammed into small flats. Over 500 units in Dubai Marina housed nearly 3,800 people in unsafe conditions. Firefighters confirmed that such partitions severely delayed emergency response and increased fire risks.

Officials began inspections in early July. Since then, they have issued multiple warnings and eviction notices. Dubai Municipality now strictly prohibits non-compliant modifications in residential buildings. Housing enforcement units removed dozens of illegal walls during raids in low-income areas.

Migrant Struggles After Jerry-Rigged Apartments Sealed

For low-wage migrant workers, the removal of jerry-rigged apartments left them homeless overnight. Most of them earned under $400 per month. They previously relied on shared sublets costing ₹18,000–₹22,000. Without access to affordable housing, many now sleep in commercial buildings, buses, or outside construction sites.

Abdul, a Bangladeshi electrician, said he shared a room the size of a kitchen with four others. After eviction, he has nowhere to stay. His employer does not offer company housing. Tens of thousands like him now fear arrest or deportation if they continue living in unregistered places.

Fire Hazards and Overcrowding Prompt Policy Change

City engineers noted that these jerry-rigged apartments pose multiple risks. Units typically lacked smoke alarms and proper ventilation. Flammable partitions built from plywood worsened the fire danger. Additionally, these flats often held 8–10 occupants, well above the legal limit.

Dubai Civil Defense urged landlords to remove unauthorized structures immediately. They also warned building owners that failure to comply would result in fines, property sealing, and criminal charges. As a result, hundreds of flats across Deira, Al Qusais, and Sonapur have already been cleared.

Housing Crisis Deepens Amid Rising Rental Costs

Dubai’s real estate boom has pushed rents beyond the reach of its migrant labor force. The average legal one-bedroom unit now costs over ₹1.1 lakh monthly. Even studio apartments in distant suburbs start at ₹65,000. For workers sending money back home, these rents are unaffordable.

Professor Steffen Hertog from the London School of Economics noted that enforcement without alternatives will only worsen inequality. He added that migrant workers often bear the cost of city growth but receive little support in return. The lack of legal, low-cost housing options puts thousands at risk of exploitation.

Employers and Authorities Urged to Act Responsibly

Under UAE labor law, employers must provide housing for workers earning under ₹33,000 monthly. However, many firms use contractors or informal labor to avoid responsibility. Human rights groups have urged the government to enforce housing obligations and expand affordable accommodation zones.

Meanwhile, activists call for safer housing programs and rent control initiatives. They argue that eviction alone will not solve the root problem. Instead, Dubai must invest in low-cost, high-density housing for its essential workers.

A Humanitarian Issue Demanding Policy Solutions

The mass eviction from jerry-rigged apartments highlights a larger humanitarian issue. While fire safety matters, sustainable housing for the workforce must also remain a top priority. Dubai’s future as a global city depends on how it treats those who build and maintain it.

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