Various Types of Bread Available for Sandwiches, Pita Bread, Indian-style Chapatis, etc.
90% of UAE Population Are Foreign Workers
As consumer prices soared in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), vending machines were introduced to distribute free bread to low-income individuals. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] As inflation rises globally, increasing the burden on ordinary people, countries around the world are seeking countermeasures.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where consumer prices have surged, vending machines have been introduced to distribute bread for free to low-income individuals.
A foundation established by Dubai's leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently installed vending machines supplying food to the poor at 10 locations in downtown Dubai.
According to AFP, the free bread vending machines feature computer touchscreens, allowing citizens to choose from various types such as sandwich bread, pita bread, and flat Indian chapatis. With just the press of a button, anyone can obtain the bread they need.
Jainab Al Tamimi, director of the Al Maktoum Foundation, explained the purpose of installing the vending machines in an interview with AFP on the 27th (local time), saying, "This is to reach out to socially underserved families and impoverished foreign workers before they come to us."
The vending machines are also equipped with credit card payment terminals for those who wish to donate, aiming to promote a culture of small donations.
The UAE has a population of about 9.8 million. Among them, 90% are foreigners, mostly migrant workers from Asia and Africa. According to the United Nations World Migration Report, approximately 8.7 million immigrants live in the UAE, mainly from India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
