By Sunita Menon, Gulf News
Dubai, Jul 1: Many low-income workers hit by the increasing rents are spending the night on building terraces, with a bit of help from the watchman.
"I pay the watchman Dh50 per month and use the terrace to sleep for a few hours," said Munna Qasim, a Bangladeshi who earns Dh400 a month working as a helper in a bakery in Sharjah. There are seven others who share the space on the terrace with him at night.
The charge for using the space varies depending on the area, the type of the building and other extra privileges.
For example, Dh75 for a terrace space in a villa in Hor Al Anz, Dh100 for the additional shower facilities in the watchman's bathroom.
"On my day off I get to sleep in the watchman's room with the air-conditioner on from 5.30 to 7am, when the watchman goes out to clean the tenants' cars," said Ganesh Vempalli, an illegal who works for a laundry in Bur Dubai.
Does he pays anything extra for this facility?
"Yes. It depends on the mood of the watchman. Sometimes he takes pity on me and allows me to get some sleep in his air-conditioned room for free, but there are times when he demands Dh5 to Dh10," said Vempalli.
Rasik Lal used to stay with eight other men in a room in the Meena Bazaar area in Bur Dubai.
"One fine day we were asked to vacate. I used to pay Dh200 as rent. With the help of some of my colleagues I managed to get a place to sleep in the lobby of the 15th floor of a centrally air-conditioned building on Mankhool Road in Bur Dubai," he said.
The expatriate workers said the arrangement works out well for them as they are able to save more than what they used to while living in a rented room with six or eight other men.
"I just have to pay Dh50 now. Earlier, I used to pay Dh150 a month to stay in a cramped room with five other men. I work in a supermarket as a helper. My work ends at midnight and starts at 6.30am," said Gopal Dimke.
A watchman, who allows five expatriates to sleep on the terrace of his building, said the arrangement has so far proved profitable for him and the workers.
"I earn Dh1,200 per month. This is not enough to get things moving in my family, so I clean cars. I charge Dh50 per car. I have five men who make use of the terrace at night to sleep.
"I charge Dh50 to Dh60, depending on the facilities required," said the watchman.