The price of the glory
At the heart of Dubai’s rapid development, the force of foreign workers, especially from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. These workers who come to the city with hope to find a better future find themselves trapped in a circle of exploitation. They live in crowded and human work camps within the city center, work for long hours, often 12 hours a day and more, and at the end of the day they do not enjoy all the profits the city produces. While spectacular buildings continue to emerge in the Dubai sky, many of them are built on the backs of employees who live in harsh and dangerous conditions, and these do not enjoy the wealth around them.
A viral video published by a Dubai Property Manager revealed the difficult conditions in which the employees live. The video shows crowded rooms, where employees sleep together in those beds, without privacy and without minimal conditions. One of the employees, Tenber, told about one small room where he stays with five more people together. The essential difference between the luxurious life of the rich and the disgraceful conditions of the common workers is a living reminder of the absolute inequality that takes place in the city.
This utilization is not limited to foreign workers; It also spreads toward women who have fallen victim to women’s trade and sexual slavery. Women who were invited to Dubai with promises of wealth and opportunities, but found themselves trapped in exploitation networks, growing. Evidence that Lago reveals the broad scope of this exploitation, where women are required to stay with men in return for money, usually without their consent or have to do so.
The exploitation of foreign workers and trade in women are not insulated, but part of a broader policy of discrimination and exploitation in Dubai. Women experience a legal system that has difficulty protecting them, and for example, if a woman reports sexual assault or even rape, she is in danger of being charged with the act of “illegal sex” if she is not married. That is, a woman who has been raped or harassed may be sent for arrest, receive a fine and sometimes even be punished with lashes. This reality encourages most women to avoid contacting the authorities, which often leads to immunity to offenders.
Another worrying case is that of Tori Tori, an Irish flight attendant in Dubai last July after trying to escape her attacked partner. Tori was over time in violence on the part of her husband, and after being seriously injured by his attempts to strike her, she fled to the hospital. But instead of finding a shelter, Tori was arrested and charged with suicide attempt and using alcohol – which happened only after severely injured.
Forte-Parti reasons: the horror behind the pleasures
Recently, a worrying phenomenon emerged-Porta-Potty. Shocking reports about what’s happening at these events have been around social networks for years. Videos that are published on social networks, especially in Testok, describe strange arrangements between Dubai -rich men and influencers, models, strippers and women in prostitution. According to the claims, these women receive payment to allow men – or even camels – leave feces on their bodies.
In this context, the term “Porta-Potetic party” should also be explained in this context. Porta-Potties, or mobile services in Hebrew, serve a specific purpose: urine collection and feces. A viral video in Tiktok describes how women get offers to serve as “human toilets” and in return they receive luxury trips, designer clothes and large sums of money. According to the allegation, the proposal is particularly directed to Instagram youth and influencers who present a prestigious lifestyle.
María Kovalchuk, a sensual Ukrainian model from Onlyfans, was found with the spine broken and broken arms and legs on the edge of a Dubai road, after having disappeared for 10 days. pic.twitter.com/KzTDlXYTnB
— Roberto Lainez (@RobertoLai74153) March 28, 2025
Last week, the Ukrainian Onlifance model Maria Kovchak, who was seriously injured after being invited to one of these parties, was found to be wounded, and sparked a storm in the entire world. According to reports, Kovchak has undergone a shocking experience of kidnapping, rape and neglect, and eventually a wounded side was found on the side of the road. This case, along with other evidence, raised the concern she participated in a Forte-Pati party and that her case is not a single case but part of a broader method of exploitation that makes women victims.
Human rights organizations also report the parties. Radha Stirling, director of Detained in Dubai, an organization that helps strangers who encounter legal problems in the UAE, says: “We have received many influential complaints from Dubai for performances and events, and then appointed parties that they expected to participate in sexualities. Sexuality is not welcome. ” As you have already guessed, the men who do the crimes are not punished, while the victims are facing charges and arrests if they contact the police.
“Over the years, I have worked with many women in the Emirates who were raped, drugged, attacked or abducted, and eventually referred to them as to criminals,” Stirling points out. “The last case of the Ukrainian Onlifance model found in the street after it was reported that he had met a person who claimed he had very disturbing strong connections. Dubai’s judicial system routinely violates victims of sexual violence, especially foreign women,” the human rights activist continues. “Many are even afraid to report crimes knowing that they are in custody under old -fashioned moral laws that make sex outside the marriage, sex in some places and betrayal of criminal offenses regardless of agreement or disagreement.”
Among these human rights violations, Dubai has made great efforts to attract bloggers and influences her image. By presenting luxury hotels, extravagant shopping experiences and beautiful beaches, influencers help create an almost sinful image of Dubai. The same influencers often receive free trips, prestigious accommodation and exclusive experiences in exchange for positive posts on Dubai, and these posts are, if any, to mention human rights violations, creating a misleading narrative that benefits the city’s image but harms sufferers.
There is something that cannot be avoided. Something stands out in Dubai’s contrast: behind this glamor, behind the perfect life, hiding another, dark and remote world from the eye. It is not always visible, but if you look deeper, you will see it – the foreign workers who look at the same skyscrapers, live in human conditions to build the city, the women who come here with great dreams – only to find themselves trapped in the reality of exploitation, fear and helplessness. Dubai is not only the city of the glorious and beautiful life – but also of a bleak reality that hides behind the large smiles and promises.