Highly detailed probing results in justice for the abused
Nardello & Co. was retained by the government of Abu Dhabi to investigate allegations made by several media outlets and non-governmental organizations about abusive labor practices affecting thousands of migrant workers involved in building New York University’s campus in Abu Dhabi. Our investigation comprised a review of thousands of documents, site visits to worker accommodation camps, and hundreds of interviews, conducted in the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Qatar, the US, the UK, Ireland, and Canada, including those of: construction workers; current and former employees of the general contractor and subcontractors; UAE government representatives involved in developing the project; and New York University personnel involved in planning the project. Our findings and recommendations led to tighter enforcement of labor guidelines as well as the payment of additional compensation to thousands of migrant workers who had not been compensated appropriately under the existing guidelines. Our findings were accepted by all interested parties including New York University, the government of Abu Dhabi, various human rights organizations, and the media outlets that had originally reported the allegations.
