I am afraid what the Gulf expatriates need are more than better incentive structures. They need a shift in mentality. The fact is what Gulf countries are doing now to improve conditions is not driven by a real desire to change things for the better, but simply wanting to please international watch dogs and western governments.

When the Gulf starts to realize that it needs to treat its expatriates with respect, then they will begin by changing the laws that produce virtual indentured servitude and widespread abuse.

There is no respect for expat's rights in the Gulf whatsoever. Even when the law provides some minimal protection, the system fails to deliver because of the sheer weakness of the employee vis-a-vis the employer. And they see nothing wrong in that at all.

Workers should also be able to report abusive employers or poor living conditions to these inspectors in their own languages.

I am not sure this is a realistic proposition given language diversity among labourers. Even in developed markets this is not necessarily the case.

"rules giving workers a 2½ hour afternoon break "

Can I get one of those rules here in my advanced country?

Yes, yes, I know we're talking about construction laborers in Dante's Third Circle degree heat, but still. . . .

now the siesta was one of the finest Iberian inventions, lately I've heard multinationals are doing away with it. Shame.

Isn't the problem also that governments themselves have little incentive to treat expat workers well? I mean, it's basic exploitation, mildly better than slavery. Why ruin a profitable setup?

tigermarks: Yes, they are driven by wanting to please the West, but you can't just will into existence a change in mindsets, especially given the benefits citizens derive from the current system. Thus, you work with what you have.

Klaus: Western pressure is the short answer. Dubai, Doha, and Manama crave positive Western attention (tourists, dollars, and respect) and will be hard-pressed to maintain a positive image if human rights groups keep highlighting their more treatment of foreign workers. The more they grow and succeed, the larger these problems become, and the greater the number of criticisms drawn. Thus the effort to clean up the worst excesses.

L: You don't need to hire a division to translate Igbo in Muscat, but there are almost certainly enough workers who speak Hindi, Urdu, Pastho, Telegu, Punjabi, and Malayalam (but not English or Arabic) in a place like the UAE that the government could hire a few full-time staffers speaking these languages and willing to act as interpreters.

The very fact you just cited six languages (of course Urdu and Hindi are effectively one, so I'll say 4-5) tells me it's not a terribly reasonable standard mate. In developed countries that sort of standard raises howls of protest.

Start by putting up unreasonable standards, and you get nowhere.

By the way, a usage note, typically expatriate refers to white collar staff, not to labour per se. I note that not to be snotty but rather because for me first reading this engendered confusion.

Ah, the semantics of indentured servitude.

ah, but no. White collar staff generally can fuck off without the same issues as a labourer.