ABU DHABI // The chairman of the British Museum has been given a tour of labour accommodation on Saadiyat Island to see workers’ living conditions for himself.
Sir Richard Lambert was shown around the village by representatives of the Tourism Development & Investment Company.
TDIC is developing major projects on the island, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum.
Sir Richard said he was impressed by TDIC’s efforts to provide high-quality facilities and services for the labourers in the village.
In 2009, TDIC signed an agreement with the British Museum to give curatorial advice for the Zayed National Museum, which will document the life of founding President Sheikh Zayed, and the nation’s history.
Sir Richard said trustees of the British Museum cared greatly about the quality of facilities where the workers lived.
The Saadiyat Accommodation Village was built to house 20,000 workers employed by contractors during the construction of Saadiyat Island.
Each accommodation block has its own communal hall with a library, computer room, games area, laundromat, television room and barber salon. There are also regular sports activities for the workers.
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