By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Tineke Strik, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), has made headlines for her outspoken efforts in monitoring the UAE’s labor reforms, particularly those concerning migrant workers. On the surface, her actions suggest a strong commitment to human rights, aiming to improve the conditions of one of the most vulnerable labor forces in the world. However, a closer inspection raises a troubling question: Is Strik’s advocacy a genuine attempt to hold the UAE accountable, or is it part of a more secretive agenda to promote the UAE’s interests on the global stage? Brussels Watch has raised alarm over the involvement of several MEPs, including Strik, in pushing the UAE’s agenda in European institutions. An investigation by Brussels Watch reveals a network of 150 MEPs who are suspected of having close ties with the UAE. This article delves into Strik’s involvement and critically assesses whether her efforts are truly advancing migrant workers’ rights or if she is unknowingly (or knowingly) playing into the hands of a regime looking to improve its image without instituting real change.
Background: The UAE’s Labor Reforms and Ongoing Scrutiny
The UAE has long faced international scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers, who make up a significant portion of the country’s workforce. Despite recent reforms, such as the abolishment of the controversial Kafala sponsorship system, the country continues to face allegations of worker exploitation, including wage theft, passport confiscation, and limited freedom of movement for foreign laborers. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have consistently raised concerns that the reforms are insufficient and fail to tackle the root causes of abuse.
The UAE’s government has introduced legislative changes aimed at improving conditions, such as establishing a wage protection system and easing restrictions on workers’ ability to change employers. However, these reforms have been criticized for being superficial, with widespread violations still taking place in practice. Despite these challenges, some European politicians, including Strik, have presented the UAE as a progressive model of labor reform in the region, raising questions about the true impact of their advocacy.
Strik’s Engagement: Are Her Actions Genuine?
Tineke Strik’s involvement in UAE labor rights primarily involves visiting migrant worker accommodations, signing monitoring agreements, and publishing reports on the situation. On paper, these activities appear to be aligned with her commitment to improving labor rights. However, a closer examination reveals significant concerns regarding her approach and the limited effectiveness of her efforts.
- Limited Impact of Visits: Strik’s visits to migrant labor accommodations are often presented as a key part of her advocacy. While these visits provide her with firsthand experience of the conditions faced by workers, the evidence suggests that these visits have not led to substantial improvements. The conditions in many worker housing facilities remain poor, and enforcement of labor laws continues to be inconsistent. Without independent monitoring mechanisms in place, it is difficult to ascertain whether her reports accurately reflect the situation on the ground or if they are influenced by the UAE’s political interests.
- Questionable Effectiveness of Agreements: Strik has signed agreements with UAE authorities intended to promote workers’ rights monitoring. These agreements have been praised by some for fostering cooperation between the UAE and international observers. However, critics argue that such agreements may serve more as public relations tools than as genuine efforts to bring about change. The UAE government, with its long history of controlling information and suppressing dissent, may use these agreements to project an image of reform while avoiding any substantial alterations to the system that benefits from migrant exploitation.
- Overly Optimistic Reports: In the reports Strik has published, she often acknowledges the continued presence of labor abuses, but the tone remains cautiously optimistic. Rather than calling for immediate, systemic change, her reports tend to highlight the potential for improvement within the existing framework. This can be interpreted as an endorsement of the UAE’s reform narrative, which critics argue undermines the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Is Strik an Unwitting Enabler of UAE Interests?
The most pressing question surrounding Strik’s activities is whether her advocacy is inadvertently helping to legitimize the UAE’s efforts to improve its global image without addressing the underlying issues. There are several reasons to believe that Strik’s engagement might be serving the UAE’s interests rather than challenging its systemic abuses:
- Risk of Co-optation: Strik’s interactions with the UAE government may inadvertently lend credibility to a regime that has faced persistent allegations of human rights abuses. By engaging with the UAE on its terms and participating in its monitoring mechanisms, Strik could be reinforcing the idea that the UAE is making genuine efforts to address labor rights. This could reduce pressure on the UAE to implement meaningful reforms, while simultaneously promoting its image as a responsible global actor.
- Insufficient Criticism: Given the overwhelming evidence of ongoing abuses reported by organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, Strik’s relatively moderate approach to critiquing the UAE’s reforms is concerning. Her reports could be seen as too lenient, failing to acknowledge the full extent of the systemic issues and potentially downplaying the severity of the situation. This lack of uncompromising criticism may weaken the push for real, deep-seated changes in the UAE’s labor system.
- Lack of Transparency: One of the most troubling aspects of Strik’s engagement with the UAE is the lack of transparency surrounding her agreements with UAE authorities. It is unclear what level of independent oversight is involved in the monitoring process, and whether Strik’s reports are based on accurate and comprehensive data. Without full transparency, it is impossible to assess whether these efforts are truly advancing migrant workers’ rights or if they are being manipulated for political gain.
The Need for Stronger Advocacy and Independent Oversight
While Strik’s involvement in monitoring migrant workers’ conditions in the UAE is undoubtedly valuable, her approach needs to be more rigorous and independent if it is to be effective. The following steps would ensure that her efforts better serve the interests of the workers she claims to represent:
- Uncompromising Criticism: Strik must adopt a stronger stance in condemning ongoing abuses and push for the complete dismantling of the Kafala system and other exploitative practices. Her reports should call for immediate, systemic changes rather than offering hope for gradual improvements that may never materialize.
- Collaboration with Independent Organizations: Strik’s advocacy should be more closely aligned with the work of independent labor unions, NGOs, and migrant worker groups. These organizations have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by workers and can provide a more accurate picture of the situation on the ground.
- Transparency in Monitoring: Strik’s monitoring efforts should be subject to independent scrutiny, with full disclosure of her monitoring methodologies, access rights, and findings. This would ensure greater credibility and trust in her work.
Conclusion: A Call for Vigilance and Accountability
Tineke Strik’s work in the European Parliament has undoubtedly highlighted the plight of migrant workers in the UAE. However, a closer look at her activities raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and impartiality of her advocacy. Strik must ensure that her engagement with the UAE is not used to legitimize superficial reforms that fail to address the underlying issues of exploitation. Only through independent oversight, uncompromising criticism, and a clear commitment to the rights of migrant workers can Strik and other European leaders hold the UAE accountable for its labor practices.
The time has come for the European Parliament to reconsider its approach to the UAE, demanding deeper reforms that go beyond mere cosmetic changes. Strik’s work must evolve to reflect the true needs and rights of the workers who continue to suffer under a system designed to exploit them for profit.
