Scores of workers 'not paid for months'

Dubai: More than 300 workers who are employed by a government department in Dubai have claimed that they have not been paid for several months.

The workers, who entered the country on work visas sponsored by the government department, said they underwent a three-month training period to obtain a driving licence to work for this department but they have not been given any work to do or received any pay.

Some of the workers live in labour accommodation in Al Aweer and the others live in the industrial area of Sharjah.

The workers said they do not have enough money to even buy a meal.

Barely surviving

"I have been here for more than ten months. I underwent training and I was supposed to start work seven months ago but I have not been given any work so far," said one of the workers.

He said according to his contract he should go for training and be paid around Dh750 during the training.

"Our labour contract said that when we start work we should receive a salary of Dh4,500. I have not received anything. I have my family back home. My two children need money. I am borrowing here to send some money to them," said the worker.

"We are barely surviving. We need to work. We are sitting doing nothing despite the fact we have passed all the necessary training," said another worker.

The workers' living conditions are also quite bad.

"We have no electricity or water. The landlord has disconnected the electricity and water. We are suffering here."

Workers said their plight has not improved despite several complaints to the people concerned.