In UAE, Tales of Paradise Lost

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The Builders of Dubai's Miracle Grow Restless
For a decade now, the United Arab Emirates and, in particular, the city-state of Dubai, have emerged as a rare success story in a troubled Arab world. It is a story of breakneck, even relentless development. But there is growing unrest among the hundreds of thousands of unskilled workers here who have built its skylines, crowded with one-fifth of the world's cranes.

"Why are you coming every day?" he bellowed as they entered.

The same list followed: electricity, water and, of course, their salaries.

"You want to take your money? Bring someone who will buy all the company's stuff," the judge said.

Bin Talia then cooled down and tried to reassure them.

"We'll see," he said. "Wait a week or two, and we'll see if something can be done."

Bairawa came out, and the men huddled around him at the entrance. He explained what had been said, and they frowned.

"It's all bad," Siddiq said, shaking his head. He clenched his jaw. "The day they tell us they're not giving us our money, we'll take our lives. Right there," he said, pointing to the courthouse's staircase. "The same day."

Bairawa, calmer, shrugged his shoulders. "We'll keep coming," he said.

At 11 a.m., the men walked down the staircase and out into the pallid sunlight. They navigated the traffic, horns blaring as the group crossed. And they clambered back into the idling boat, paying their 14 cents for the trek back.