ABU DHABI // Workers' camps are like a mini-metropolis; a melting pot of languages, nationalities and cultures. Helping a camp run smoothly requires a certain amount of finesse as it is important that workers get along. Adsecc, an Abu Dhabi-based security firm, employs 300 security guards and supervises more than 60,000 workers in camps in and around the capital. "Labour camps are a microcosm of a city, except it is a city of men," said Charles Mallice, the director of operations and training for Adsecc.
"Problems there are inherent. They will always be there but we are on the front lines. We are not the police but with effective management, we prevent escalation." Among the Adsecc guards is an imam, someone an agitated crowd might listen to. The company also identifies people within the camp that other workers might listen to or seek for advice. "You are lining up, you are sitting together watching a cricket match. There is always tension there," said Nikolai Ehlers, a regional security operations manager with Adsecc. "All it takes is a spark or an excuse to go at each other. The reasons are always there but it is how to get it under control."
The design of a camp is also critical to control the inward flow of goods - legal and illegal, said Steven Polifko, the director of administration and development for Adsecc. There should be enough space to allow for an evacuation plan in case of a fire or other emergency. The flow of traffic is also monitored to prevent alcohol being smuggled inside. "We have direct contact with the guards on the ground. We try to change the way [contractors] view security," Mr Polifko said.
"Security impacts across the board. If a generator is down, it may be a mechanical issue but it becomes a security issue when there is no electricity in a camp at night. Trucks speeding through a camp is a problem. "With people walking around, you don't want that and you want the central supply unit of the camp not to be in the centre of the camp because that is where vehicles go to deliver and pick up. Instead, they should be in the perimeter."
The company holds town-hall style meetings to give workers information on upcoming events or changes in administration. Most workers, Mr Mallice said, appreciated being kept aware of changes. "A majority of the people are here to work and send money home," Mr Ehlers said. "They have gone through a lot to get here and land the job. They appreciate what you are doing as long as you let them know what you are doing."
Security guards are also encouraged to help workers when they can. In some cases workers who cannot read will bring letters to the guards who tell them what the letters say. "We don't want guards to see this as some sort of a dead-end job where they are not challenged, where they check the gate and nothing else," said Mr Mallice. "Gate guards, we are not."
sbhattacharya@thenational.ae
Profile
Company name: Marefa Digital
Based: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Number of employees: seven
Sector: e-learning
Funding stage: Pre-seed funding of Dh1.5m in 2017 and an initial seed round of Dh2m in 2019
Investors: Friends and family
Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
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Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
