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PwC’s Assurance Practice in the Middle East Now Opining on Whether Construction Workers Are Being Treated Like Human Beings

It’s a slow day out there*, this first day back from Memorial Weekend so perhaps I’m making a mountain out of a molehill here but it seems that PwC might be stretching the definition of assurance services. Based on various obscure reports, the firm fka PricewaterhouseCoopers has been engaged by Tourism Development ‘&’ Investment Company (“TDIC”) “to monitor its contractors’ and subcontractors’ performance in the area of worker welfare on Saadiyat.”

“Saadiyat” is Saadiyat Island, a “mixed commercial, residential, and leisure project […] expected to be completed in 2020,” according to Wikipedia. This sort of project of course needs manpower, so presumably there will be plethora of construction workers coming from various parts of the world to earn some scratch. Anyhoo, it’s no secret that labor comes cheap in the Middle East and the treatment of workers isn’t the best. In an effort to get those pesky human rights types off their backs, TDIC has called on the most prestigious professional services firm in the world to assure everyone that worker welfare is just fine and dandy and there’s no cause for concern that these workers are living in squalor and being treated like stray dogs:

In stringently monitoring compliance, PwC will report to TDIC on key aspects of worker welfare, including holding of personal documents, illegal recruitment fees, payment of wages, health and safety, and working and living conditions. The results of the audit reports will be released in a comprehensive report to the public on an annual basis. During the reporting cycles, PwC will conduct formal and informal interviews with construction workers in their own language, as well as with the Contractors’ and Sub-Contractors. In gathering facts and reporting their findings, PwC will conduct scheduled and surprise site visits to check contractors’ compliance. They will also be conducting site visits to assess the living and working conditions of the workers.

Considering the fact that Abu Dhabi has an average temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s safe to assume that those “site visits” will be an interesting experience.

PwC to monitor Saadiyat Island contractors’ performance in area of worker welfare [WAM]

*Unless you’re glued to the train wreck in Columbus.

PwC Is Still Looking For (Other Big 4’s) Talent

We didn’t say poaching. But if we did say poaching, we’d also mention PwC is pretty damn good at it.

A non-PwC but Big 4 tipster shares an unsolicited email received on LinkedIn. Names have been redacted to protect the innocent (and guilty):

Significant Audit Opportunity with PwC in Chicago!
Dear ______,

Hello! I took some time to review your profile and felt that it would be mutually valuable for us to connect. I am a the manager of the talent acquisition team for our Assurance group at PwC, and we are currently experiencing substantial growth in this area across the US. In fact, our Chicago region ranked # 1 out of 6 markets with respect to growth in 2010.

Therefore, I’d appreciate the opportunity to set up some time with you to have a dialogue around industry and marketplace trends and PwC’s current expansion plans.

Even if you are not currently exploring outside opportunities, I would welcome the chance to network with you. Alternatively, if you know of anyone else who is open to considering new ventures, please feel free to pass on my details. With all the changes going on in the industry, especially at PwC, it’s always good to do a little information gathering.

Please feel free to contact me, or _____, Experienced Recruiting Associate – Assurance, at________ or at _______.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Is it just me or is “a little information gathering” a totally creepy proposition? And really?! “Significant” position? That’s the best they could do? I’m sorry but if I were a Big 4 grunt happy with my employer, it would take more than “significant” to get me to double cross them by abandoning them for the enemy.

Of course, this teaches those of you miserable in your current positions that it is important to have an updated LinkedIn presence that will draw in those anxious recruiters in like flies to Caleb’s armpits after a marathon yoga session.

Go get ’em, PwC!