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Dubai residents step forward to help 25 workers left in the lurch

Living in two cramped rooms in an auto garage, the workers have been left penniless by their employer who took money from them for their work visas and consequently refused to pay their salaries once they started work.

Free legal aid, money for air tickets, food and shelter are just some of the forms through which people in the city have come forward to extend their help.

“When I read about the plight of the workers in the newspaper, I was quite shocked to learn of their misery. Our association then decided to visit them in their quarters and were quite moved by their plight,” said R. Naushad, General Secretary of Trivandrum District Expatriates Association (TEXAS). The association is now actively liasing with the Indian consulate to help expedite the workers’ salary demands and provide them with suitable options after their employer settles their dues.

“We have a group of lawyers in the association who will dispense free legal advice to these men and we are also planning to hold a meeting with the Indian consulate on this matter,” said Mr. Naushad. “Officials in India have also been informed of their plight and we are hoping that these men receive the justice they so rightly deserve.”

Apart from associations, various individuals have come forward to help the workers cause. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one woman said that she wanted to help the workers by providing them with food and clothes. “I would like to go to their quarters once a week and provide them with daily necessities such as sugar, oil, salt and grains. Nobody should go hungry like this and it is the employer's prerogative to provide them with these basic necessities,” she said.

The workers have until October 30 to live in their present premises during which time they will receive free food by their employer. After this date, however, their fate remains unknown.

“These people have only a few more days left to live in their quarters after which they would have no where to go. They cannot leave their quarters even," said Mr Naushad. Another Good Samaritan offered to provide accommodation for the workers. The general manager of the company was unavailable for a comment.

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