UAE Recruits Foreign Residents for COVID-19 Vaccine Trials, Including Moroccans

A Moroccan residing in the United Arab Emirates told the newspaper Assabah that she is one of those to whom the Ministry of Health of the Emirates made this proposal. According to her, many Moroccans living in Abu Dhabi had declined this proposal. Some, however, agreed to serve as guinea pigs. They have been added to the list of 15,000 human guinea pigs of 107 different nationalities identified since July 16.

According to the explanations of this Moroccan, the foreigners who gave their consent did so out of fear of retaliation or harassment from their employers. Especially since they are required to register with their passport or residence permit and sign the document proving their acceptance. They are now under medical supervision for 8 to 12 months, representing the duration of the clinical trials.

According to this expatriate, Moroccan executives working for large multinationals based in the United Arab Emirates who have refused this proposal are already suffering the consequences in their workplace. Some live in fear of losing their jobs.