Reddit post lays bare emotional toll of sudden job loss and forced return after five years in UAE
An emotional Reddit post by an Indian man who lost his job in Dubai and is now returning to India “with nothing” has gone viral, triggering a wave of empathy and solidarity from people across the globe.
The post highlights the precarious reality many migrant workers face—where years of dedication can unravel overnight, reported livemint.com.
In the post, the man recounted how his life in the UAE came crashing down with a single HR meeting. “Tomorrow morning’s flight back to India. I have nothing. Only a broken heart and an empty pocket,” he wrote.
He arrived in Dubai in 2019, working tirelessly—overtime, no holidays, regular remittances to his family. Last month, he was laid off due to “company restructuring,” and escorted out by security, a moment he described as “surreal” and “like a criminal.”
After five years in Dubai, an Indian expat shares his sudden layoff story, expressing heartbreak, shame, and love for the city he once called home
Despite applying to hundreds of jobs, he said rising expenses and limited options forced him to give up. “Dubai salary sounds big,” he wrote, “but rent, DEWA bills, groceries, and petrol eat it all up.”
To cover final expenses, he sold nearly everything he owned: “a mattress, a plant, and a small TV—selling pieces of my life.”
Still, what hurts most, he said, is leaving the city he fell in love with. “The smell of karak chai in the morning, the Burj Khalifa’s light show, even the stress of Sheikh Zayed Road traffic—I’ll miss it all.” But returning to his village empty-handed, he added, brings shame: “A heavy stone in my stomach.”
He also shared a heartbreaking moment with his father: “Come beta, home is home,” his father said, though the man could sense unspoken disappointment.
The post has since drawn thousands of reactions. One commenter offered hope: “One door closes, another opens. Keep your head high, bro.” Another wrote: “This is the start of a new beginning—be proud of your courage.”
Many called his words a powerful reminder of the unseen struggles behind the so-called “Dubai dream,” often overshadowed by glossy perceptions of success abroad.
