More than 40 construction workers in Ajman are stranded without their passports after their employer fled the country, officials have said.
The Indian nationals, only 14 of whom still have valid visas, have not been paid and are living in temporary accommodation without electricity.
On Thursday, the Indian consulate in the emirate said they were aware of the situation and were doing their best to assist the men.
They said new accommodation would be found for the workers while authorities attempted to ensure their wages were paid.
“We are helping them through one of our associations and will provide them with food,” said Mr Vipul, the Consul General.
“They will be moved to better accommodation with electricity and water and we are trying to persuade the company to settle their end-of-service salaries.
“Their passports are with their employer who has run away.”
The men are understood to have been employed in the UAE for several years and are each owed between Dh3,000 to Dh4,000.
“The men want their salaries paid and we will try our best to settle this,” said Mr Vipul.
“But the process will take a few weeks. In cases where the company says it is unable to make payments, there is no option but to take the workers back to India.”
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