The economic downturn that hit Saudi hardest has also impacted workers in the UAE.

Khaleej Times reports that about 25 Indian workers in the Emirates have not been paid for over 10 months and were left starving. The workers are also undocumented as their sponsoring companies have not renewed their visas, leaving them even more vulnerable to exploitation.

According to another report, many construction firms do not provide air-conditioned buses, in violation of UAE laws. The firms claim they cannot afford these buses.

"The manager, who requested not to be identified, said a bus costs over Dh350,000. According to him, adding AC might add about Dh70,000 of expenses,” the newspaper reports.