This post contains the link to audio record of the Open Forum that EKAS managers held with staff on July 21st 2014.
In order to protect my colleagues, I have cut (almost) everyone’s voice from it, except mine and the voices of EKAS managers. Forum lasted for 2 hours and I was discussing issues with managers for 10 minutes maximum.
My questions from this forum got me fired.
I had couple of warnings previously. I feel that they were for no reasons, just punishments and torture for speaking up about labour rights. Management started punishing me with warnings after my first complaint about human rights not being respected.
There were attempts by my colleagues and me to change our working conditions, by discussing things with DVP Anoma Manuel and by sending e-mails with issues and suggestions for improvements to HR Management. Seems that nobody listened. Moreover, management fired me in order to maintain the rule of fear. I have appealed on final warning and the dismissal from the service decisions.
We never got any conclusions from this forum and only few things have been changed (as far as I know the breaks are extended and some tasks are shortened).
Once again, this is not a blog about my issue but I can write only about my experience for now. People are welcome to share their experiences on this web site.
As an HR Manager I feel an obligation to defend labour and human rights and speak up about cruel exploitation of workers.
This blog is about world going completely wrong way.
Do Not Fly Emirates 
September 12th, 2014 at 04:35
How long will Emirates continue to enable this unstable manager to represent them? Wake up EK!
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September 12th, 2014 at 05:17
Its a shame to hear a response from a DVP like that who has worked with ek for years ….so unprofessional 100%…even if dragana was asking so much..yet i think we all didnt expect an Unprofessional answer like that ….if u listen to the whole conversation Mrs.manuel was not givin right answers specially having her seat as a DVP thats embarrasing for her to even answer that…she kept avoiding it sayin she is not goin to have that conversation…(((whats the point of holdin up an open forum if u cnt answer and cant listen and walk the same mile that ur staff are walkin??)) well simple and clear..thats because she knows that she has been selfish all this while..Shame SHAME SHAME !!!!! Nothin will change until or unless they change the person sitting on that seat!
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September 12th, 2014 at 07:48
In EK environment I can’t openly talk and this is in all EK departments
Also many of the people who own the decisions are not qualified
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September 12th, 2014 at 09:00
Shame such a terrible organization to work for I will make sure to write blogs and go in local media .. Shame on people like mrs Manuel reem naamani Boutros Boutros anaa ghosh and other racists pigs in Emirates… Time to wake up Majid UL muallah and HH before its too late
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September 25th, 2014 at 16:33
Unfortunately, they all know….and they know more and enough playing with your minds to let live on this hope. I am going to speak about it with “evidences” in from of the media and for sure, they have the right to speak and convince the whole words….but its all depend on you people when you find out the truth.
At the end of every year or every financial year, they create a big financial problem to let the staff “give up” on BONUS, prepare for the worst and accept at least 1 week. Staff don,t deserve that as they always work hard to make Emirates proud.
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September 12th, 2014 at 09:56
I’m completely dumbfounded. I didn’t expect these answers coming from a DVP! SHAME!!! No wonder employees are demotivated!
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September 12th, 2014 at 10:17
That guy from the last part of the clip – for him to reason out that there are “labourers” who are earning 1000dhs and being able to survive in the country?? Pure exploitation being blown to your faces everyone. Why don’t he try to be in the shoes of these poor labourers for a month or two and let him experience their living conditions. He should be ashamed of himself for bringing that up!
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September 12th, 2014 at 10:38
Seriously that was so unproffesional someone from high management to reply.if only they could understand open forum means ua ready to accept the feedback either negative nor positive.how could you ask her to leave the room????indeed she proven that she cannot handle difficult situations.As a leader how do u expect UA staff to do so yet u can not lead by example.???? She has a lot to learn I truly pitty the staff.
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September 12th, 2014 at 11:38
Emirates is horrible company, they threat all staff like slaves, no human rights, no nothing…. I run out of that hell!!! Full of racism anf nationalism!!!
Dont Fly Emirates!!!!
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September 16th, 2014 at 06:02
I am taking the liberty to say a few things here. It hurts me to see Emirates being slandered like this, and moreover, an individual who is one of a very few who sticks her neck out to listen to staff and resolve matters, being stripped, in this manner.
During many a crises in our days, we have seen many airlines crumble and downsize staff cadres ; we have seen many companies serve staff with letters of termination taking effect the very next day, but, Emirates, has stood firm since 25th October 1985, now nearing completion of its 3rd decade in business, and with a high level of SUCCESS too! Travel around any continent and see how envious people are of you, when you say you work for Emirates!
Agree please, that our jobs at Emirates, have not only made it possible for us to feed and educate our families, but have also given us an extra bit to put some food on the table of a few others, who are less fortunate than ourselves.
What right does anyone have to ask another about what salary one earns? Moreover, in an open forum? I am no lawyer, neither have I a Masters in HR, but I know that it is truly “inappropriate behavior” to ask such questions in such an audience. Speaking about training on off-days, a few may not like the idea, but many know the value of being trained in that beautiful facility, the Emirates’ Aviation College – “priceless” value, completely free-of-charge.
Scheduled overtime – again, a few may not like it, but majority look forward to earning that extra buck. Everything has its ups and downs, its positives and negatives – to have and enjoy a longer life, let’s look at things positively rather than negatively.
We must not waste precious time on contributing to deepen the wound of the originator of this write-up, but pray that God shows her another way to make her dreams come true!
Long live Emirates, long live Mrs. Manual – and Dear God, bless us all……
Anonymous
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September 17th, 2014 at 10:06
Dear Hessa,
I would like to comment on your post. If you work as a cabin crew you will have the opportunity to see the world together with your family because all airlines give you travel benefits.
Its very nice to go to the luxury training college as you say, but once you leave you are not allowed to bring with you any of your e-learning certificates and as a cabin crew you need to give back you licenses. Emirates do not want to contribute for your career development.
And Hessa, lets be fair here, mother Emirindia ( as cabin crew call the company) do not give to its employees nothing for free. They give you accommodation, transport, but you need to do all they want, if not you will get a warning… It can be a verbal, written or a final depends.
Maybe the company is not bad, bad is the environment. Everybody works under fear. Everybody is afraid to be reported by someone and since day off are not that many, no one wants to go to the office to explain why things went wrong.
The manuals sometimes can conflict For example, in the cabin crew manual, crew ( if this is not their first flight in the equipment) are not allowed to sit in the flight deck for take off and landing. In the flight deck black manual its written that everybody declared in the GD and wearing a uniform its allowed to sit in the flight deck ( captain decides). There is one captain in Emirates, Mr. Mets that used to say during the briefings that there are 2 sits up front to be occupied for any crew that’s is A position, also he used to bring a placard stamped with a boxe glove saying to beat the repression. He used to hang it in the flight deck for every crew to see it. He often criticized the system saying that they are Emirates is run by camel fuckers. So imagine, a pilot, captain against the management…. And their lives are very good comparing to us, poor mortals.
I am really happy that you found your sunny place there and I have to say that I appreciate the ability you have to digest shit, it means you have a very good stomach. Because I will be honest … I do not have.
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September 17th, 2014 at 10:17
And Hessa, not to forget… Emirates maybe is not growing but they do recruit a lot, because people normally after the bonus resign. So they keep up this campaign that they are recruiting like mad because they need to replace fast the ones who leave. We were 10000 crew when I used to fly and once 5000 resigned in one go. There were GR1 flying as Gr2 because was not enough crew in economy class…. Keep recovering
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September 27th, 2014 at 06:18
The reason of the struggle of other carriers in the first World is the very existence of EK. Cheap labor, no human rights, no worker rights, no maternity leaves to pay , no union to deal with makes is it very easy to kill a competition that has instead to bear social cost and to pay taxes back into a real society. In the Kingdom of Shallowness that does not apply and EK as the lowest cost base in the world, after Ryanair. . Emirates and Dubai are implementing a modernized,very efficient version of slavery that is the only reason of EK success along with a very efficient nazi organizational struxture. Manager are there just to bounce problems, have no discretion in any matter . May be they made a favor to you but In civilized countries education is mostly free including university and your work is time you lend to your employer not a favor that employer does to you. That is a very subservient and flattered view that most third world country employee ( the vast majority of Ek employee) seems to share . EK and its peers need to be imposed tariffs to fly and come take passengers in Europe or European carrier will cease to exist. Fly responsibly, don’t give your money to dictators.
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September 27th, 2014 at 10:35
Very intelligent comment, Filippo. Unfortunately, people who see the bigger picture are very rare.
Most people are selfish, oriented on fulfilment on their own desires but at the expense of the planet and humanity. Paradoxically, they are leaving shity and ruthless place for their children to live.
I especially like the “your work is time you lend to your employer not a favor that employer does to you” They found the way to take away your self esteem and personal value. This is a ground for perfect voluntarily slave” part of the comment.
Yes, every ME airliner is the part of the international aviation system, so each of them has to respect international rules and present a fair competition.
Greedy people and their lack of ability to think further than their noses.
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January 9th, 2015 at 12:46
Definitely the best comment here!
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January 9th, 2015 at 12:49
I agree.
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September 12th, 2014 at 13:44
She said : ” if you are not happy then you know you have choice”. 🙂
The the other way : go for resignation and go back to your country. What a professional answer. Yess it is true that thousands or might be billions of people are waiting for working for the best airlines in the world.
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September 12th, 2014 at 14:13
Hearing Dragana leads in this particular department (EKAS) within Emirates Airline could lead us to believe that all other sectors of the organisation are managed in a similar fashion.
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September 12th, 2014 at 17:03
Its really a shame of what this company is doing to her staff .. They are not even aware that a lot of staff already left !! And many more on the way !!
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September 12th, 2014 at 19:22
Thats called a disposable staff policy -have you noticed how much do they brainwash you in the times of trainings -you are the chosen one and so forth -to ensure you stay deceived of honest chances for growth as long as possible.
By the time you are totally disappointed by the treatment they got others lining up for the jobs.
As long as there is poverty in this world
Emirates and companies like those will benefit from underpaying their staff.
Hoping to be wrong
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September 12th, 2014 at 19:19
In the first months,I joined the Emirates airlines
I was very much surprised, how come
-so much injustice and discrimination in return for hard work ,
securing them returning customers,
and not one staff still has commited anything horrible-
connected with security-
to pay them back
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September 13th, 2014 at 05:36
Just to let the management know…while having conversation between friends and colleagues within Ek, we do agree that it is a wonderful airline..but the management’s treatment with the subordinates is not very good. That has to be changed. Also Ek should value staff as per the qualifications as well and based on that promote where they are suitable for.
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January 9th, 2015 at 12:40
Correction – it used to be wonderful. Now it’s just a meat grinder for the low level staff and an average village bus filled to the brim for the passengers ( excluding the 1500 ICE channels, thank you I have my iPad )…
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September 13th, 2014 at 12:14
They seem like a bunch of unqualified managers. Lol wasta + this anoma person should retire by now because she’s definitely useless
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September 13th, 2014 at 12:52
It is such a sad story. Unfortunately, their hr is very week. Supporting managers instead of looking to better mange employees situation.
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September 13th, 2014 at 12:57
All the comments about the EKAS working environment is true – I’m do glad that Atleast one person had the guts to stand up to the management –
Even the cabin crew that Emirates claim to be the face if the company as treated with the least amount of respect and dignity !
The company claims that this is great place to live and work – however they put most of the crew in accommodation in the middle of desert !
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September 13th, 2014 at 12:59
Emirates claims to be the best airline in the world but 90% of the employees are treated like salves
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September 13th, 2014 at 14:18
How can over time be rostered- over time is by choice of the employee not enforced by the employer even on a roster – clearly The DVP has no experience in dealing with labour laws and working regulations – furthermore the DVP should Atleast to know the difference between a door opening and a fire alarm in her work environment !
Clearly Emirates needs to review pay packages and rostering system – what’s the point of becoming a global brand when the companies employees are treated like cheap labourers and machines – non of the employees have job satisfaction !!!!
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September 13th, 2014 at 15:23
Not just Dubai head office but all other offices across the world have similar situation or even worse. Pakistan India Bangladesh and other third world countries where people don’t know their rights is even worse .. Heard HR head of Pakistan n Bangladesh is another goddess who controls the employees like puppets and kick out people on personal agendas shameless woman and a disgrace
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September 13th, 2014 at 17:56
All the managers are nuts.
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September 13th, 2014 at 18:00
In this company only Big snakes can become Managers.
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September 14th, 2014 at 04:00
Its a piety they value new joiners by paying them more money than the old staff.shame on them.it means old staff are nothing.they also pay staff extra money for speaking arabic.its an international organization where it flyes everywhere.knowing other languages is not important to them.god is with emirates staff.if they really think what they are doing is fair.
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September 14th, 2014 at 06:27
You really thing they are gonna a change.. No way.. The ruthlessness is what makes them soo profitable. They will just keep replacing staff. The new catch recruitment does now is “yes you can join crew in one year”. My advice to anyone get out of EKAS once you complete one year. Don’t waste your time and skill in a place where you are no appreciated (FYI 25 aed meal voucher and a najm printout isn’t an appreciation). I am sure Dragana will have a better future ahead rather than wasting her time in EKAS.
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September 14th, 2014 at 06:36
You really think they are gonna change.. No way..it’s the ruthless is what getting them soo much profit. My advice to all staff in EKAS you guys are already in this mess time to make an exit plan.. Don’t waste your time and skill in a place you are not appreciated (25 aed voucher and a printed out najm ain’t a real application).
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September 14th, 2014 at 06:53
Thank you dragana for your courage to write such an article and expose this “what called emirates airlines” to public.
I totally agree with all what you written. All is true there is not even one single word exaggeration.
But you forgot to mention about sudden roster change regardless of your plans. And they take your off days for several training without paying the extra hours. Or after you do 12 days replacement in order to travel for 10 or 12 days after booking ticket and hotel they take your days for training.
And don’t forget the double deduction of annual leave days. They promised of 30 annual leave days but actually we take less. Because when I applied for 4 days leave 6 days have been deducted. And again I applied for 15 days to find 17 days are deducted.
It’s really a huge mess and I can’t wait till I find a better opportunity to resign.
Dragana we are supporting you.
Again thank you for such an article.
We wish you a better future without Emirates.
God bless all the best.
EK staff.
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September 14th, 2014 at 07:14
I worked in the checking and boarding gates for five years. This job was way below my academic qualifications. Nonetheless I joined the company with hope for a fast tracked career development. During my tenure I realized, the deal was but a lie. I held better qualifications than ninety percent of the management team and there was no room for personal development. I got disgruntled day by day. I can say I was lucky to leave the company like most of us. What I can say for sure is that emirates is no different to sobibor camp. ADVICE TO MY FORMER COLLEAGUES- Fight your war and leave while you can still follow your dreams.
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September 21st, 2014 at 20:17
To Eli wata,
Before you write posts like this learn some proper English first. I doubt you have any qualifications
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September 17th, 2014 at 14:15
Unfortunately, nothing will happen and the evidence is below:
I’m pleased to announce that Anoma Manuel, Divisional Vice President Passenger Services, and Walter Riggans, Divisional Vice President Outstations, at Emirates Airport Services (EKAS) will exchange roles from 15th October.
This is part of our continuing efforts to pursue excellence and develop our people. Both Anoma and Walter have many years’ experience in EKAS in Dubai and at our outstations.
Additionally, managers airport services in the hub and at the Network Control Centre will also exchange roles on a rotating basis. Reporting lines will remain unchanged.
Please join me in extending your support and welcoming our colleagues into their new roles.
Mohammed Mattar
Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Airport Services
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September 18th, 2014 at 17:53
Dragana, I’ve just listened to the recording and it is very concerning. I can see how your persistence annoyed her and could have been worded better, but her manner was a totally inappropriate way of dealing with a select group of international staff.
Immediately she tries to make it confrontational and personal; accuses you of having a personal difference with her because you refuse to be brushed over. If something is OVERTIME and you DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE about doing it, it is therefore FORCED OVERTIME. What you choose to name something. (execution’ or ‘terminal punishment’, ‘interrogation’ or ‘enhanced questioning ‘) makes no sense. It’s also uncontractual and frankly has overtones of a vendetta, perhaps added to by some clumsy responses from yourself. In ter,ms of what they want from you in the contract, I bet they insist on getting all of that.
The idea that you must accept everything as is, otherwise leave, is ridiculous and wrong – amendments to an existing routine to make it work better is just like tuning a car engine so it runs more smoothly. No car manufacturer will say that ‘if you don’t like the fact that the engine works incorrectly, go buy another car’. Not a direct comparison I know, but you get the point.
The whole ‘if you don’t like it then leave’ mentality, and the making of a professional matter personal, goes against the management methods you would expect of a supposedly highly-qualifies management professional.
She claims she is there to listen; but does no listening, whilst a man who appears to sound African starts splitting semantic hairs over what forced overtime is.
There is also the physical impact you hint at over weight and appearance etc when you are dog tired; five hours on the front desk really is gruelling in an airport like Dubai.
Again, you made the point a little too bluntly, but I take entirely your point that staff need more rest – even a 15-minute coffee break on a 7-hr shift – and that 3500 per month for skilled international staff is simply not enough to get by on in a growing cosmopolitan city like Dubai. You are not meant to ‘survive’ – you cannot scrape along the bottom and take on all the costs then be bright and shiny as the diplomatic customer-facing end of EK airlines.
This should reach a wider audience. I admire greatly your courage – like you say, nobody got anywhere without taking a little flak – the more you get, the better you are doing – and I wish you the very best.
Stay strong girl.
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September 18th, 2014 at 18:17
Thank you for this smart comment, especially for the part “take it or leave it”. That way of thinking is accepted here like very logical and rational.
Thank you and all the best to you too.:)
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September 18th, 2014 at 19:39
This recording should be brought to wide attention. It is absolutely wrong that EK has almost a textbook example of ‘how not to do it’
Be strong and keep going.
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September 21st, 2014 at 22:39
Most of what happens at emirates airline is unreasonable and unfair – working as a cabin crew for the a very long time – I’m managed by a local – who’s totally incompetent in the role of cabin crew manager !
There is no justice in this airline and everyone in the management are looking at making life harder for the cabin crew as well as the EKAS staff !
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November 7th, 2014 at 03:20
[…] first Emirates’ move after I have posted the audio record from the EKAS Open Forum was so cliché – they have removed Ms. Anoma Manuel from her DVP EKAS position. I even felt […]
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November 12th, 2014 at 06:37
Wow! I am reading your blog, which I just discovered two days ago, and I am really surprised… shocked, rather, about EK… It had been my dream to join this airline, but now I feel so disappointed and sad because the great image I had about it is now destroyed…
Maybe Etihad is better… Do you know if Etihad is better?
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November 12th, 2014 at 14:54
I am writing just about the things I’ve seen and experienced, Katalina.:)
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November 12th, 2014 at 20:24
Thank you for your reply, Dragana. I’m deeply sorry about what happened to you and to other people who are contributing with their experiences and testimonies. And I suppose that I would do the same that you are doing now.
On the one hand, I feel really disappointed because EK was an airline that I admired and wanted to join as cabin crew. On the other, I feel thankful for getting to know about this on time to be able to have information to decide what I want to do and where I want to work, and you are helping me in that respect 🙂
Just out of curiosity: would you still like to recover your job there? And if so, why?
I suppose that maybe I would be so angry that I would just want to be compensated for the inconveniences they caused (and if this is not done, I would do the same that you are doing now: speaking up and making the world know about it), but I would be happy not to continue working for such a company that hurt me so much…
I hope that you are fine and well now, and keep up the good work here! Making your voice heard is something really admirable and praiseworthy! All the best!
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November 12th, 2014 at 21:25
You’re welcome, Katalina and thank you.:)
No, I wouldn’t like to recover my job there since I don’t trust them any more.
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November 15th, 2014 at 01:46
[…] This is the point where Ms.Anoma showed a serious lack of knowledge about labour rights and her staff’s contracts (this is nothing new, since Ms.Anoma also didn’t know that her staff has a 7 hours shift without a break. You can hear that on the audio record from the Open Forum). […]
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January 15th, 2016 at 23:35
EKAS is using staff when did airport services staff become ticketing agents without contracts? We have petitioned IATA to investigate this and we need volunteers to sign a petition to be presented to IATA regarding this issue.
Any staff doing ticketing without a contract please email the administrator of this site for further instructions.
Secondly emails for Ragu are all about threatening staff with disciplinary action termination on every email that he sends Ragu your not dealing with kids we are all grown ups help us learn without threats.
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January 17th, 2016 at 01:17
Ok, please open your own e-mail account for receiving emails about ticketing staff and petition. You can publish that address here, but my e-mail address is not open for that purpose neither I want to participate that petition actively.
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