SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) - Under an unforgiving sun, South Asian workers stir giant pots of rice, their only food, in a barren patch of desert 80 km from a gleaming Dubai skyline built over decades by migrant labour.
Abandoned by employers who left the United Arab Emirates after the Dubai economy soured, the men cannot afford to stay, but they also cannot leave. They have not been paid for months and their passports were confiscated long ago.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!