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'Tricked' workers approach consulate

DUBAI — More than a dozen employees of a Dubai-based security company have alleged that their employers have deliberately 'tricked' them by paying lower salaries than promised and also failed to get their employment visas stamped, even after eight months of service.

The workers who contacted the Indian Consulate here for help yesterday have been assured of a representative being present in the Labour Court, where the matter has been listed for hearing today.

The case was filed in the Labour Court by the workers on May 9, after the employer refused to pay them the promised salary of Dh 1,200 per month.

One of the employees, Sajjad Mohammed Abdul Qadir, told Khaleej Times that he arrived in Dubai on employment as a security personnel with the company some eight months ago on a monthly salary of Dh1,200. “For two months they paid us this amount, but suddenly the monthly salary was reduced to Dh1,000. It was reduced further and last month was brought down to a mere Dh 400.”

Another worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said all initiatives taken by the workers to resolve the issue with the employers had failed. The company management, he added, "has also informed us that either we move to another company in Abu Dhabi and work there as construction workers, or we could leave as the company as our services were no longer required."

We have huge debts back home, lamented the workers, disclosing that the loans were taken to pay for the visa charges and given to recruiting agents in India.