The government of the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has ordered the closure of the local water park.
On August 30, it became known about the closure of the Ice Land Water Park in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Now, more than 200 foreign workers, mainly from Bangladesh, the Philippines, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, who are left without work, may voluntarily leave the country. The fact is that they need to find employers who would pay for their visas, but this is not so simple.
The 27-year-old Imam Rafik, a lifeguard instructor, has been working in the park for ten years and is now seriously worried that he will have to return home if he cannot find a job.
"I am very sad that the park was closed - the team was like a family to me," he said, adding that the management tried to find another job for the employees.
Employees received a salary for August. They were also promised to pay for one additional month. Some workers still have not left the housing provided by the park, while others live nearby.
Many foreigners sent money to their homeland. Now they are worried about whether they can continue to support their families.
A group of 34 Filipino workers traveled by bus to the Emirate of Sharjah in search of work in a new hotel. One woman said that she might have to return to her homeland if she could not find work this month.
“My two daughters are in school and they need money. I can’t stay here without work, my visa will expire in a month,” said 33-year-old Filipina, a former employee of Ice Land Water Park.
An entertainment center with an area of 50 hectares was opened in 2010 and since then has served as an integral part of the Ras Al Khaimah plan, designed to turn the emirate into a leading tourist destination. The emirate’s government, however, ordered the closure of the water park as part of its strategy.
