The side of Dubai that tourist usually don't see...(and they couldn't see, because is a restricted area "forbidden to photograph")
An Iranian photographer has captured the desperate lives of South Asian labourers who travel to Dubai in the hope of building a future for their families - but find only squalor, low wages and backbreaking work in stifling heat.
Farhad Berahman's pictures were taken in Sonapur, the unofficial name for a work camp on the outskirts of Dubai, located far away from the luxury, soaring skyscrapers and vast wealth that the United Arab Emirates city is renowned for. 'Sonapur' - ironically, the name means 'City of Gold' in Hindi - is home to more than 150,000 workers, mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.
Pictured is a huge dirty kitchen at the Sonapur camp where many of them live. The gas pipelines were built by the labourers and not subject to safety laws.
Unhygeinic: A man guts fish in filthy conditions in a Sonapur kitchen.
Misery: Farhad explains that several workers have their passports seized at the airport, and are forced to work extremely long hours in blistering heat for very little pay.
Grim living standards: Jahangir, 27, from Bangladesh, has worked as a cleaner for the past four years. He earns 800 AED (£139) a month and sends 500 AED (£87) to his family. He uses the rest of the money for rent and food.
Labourers seek to make extra cash at the weekends by setting up food stalls and trading with fellow migrants.
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Gruelling: The labourers usually work 14 hours where in summer the temperature goes over 50C. Western tourists are told not to stay outside more than five minutes!
Harrowing: Their accommodation is cramped, filthy, sweltering and often overrun with vermin. Yet many can't leave.
The expats who enjoy high incomes will likely never experience the dark side of Dubai, where the labourers' suffering is hidden from the media.
Farhad says he was so moved after seeing it for himself that he decided to create the photo series. He said: "I did not try to get permission since these areas are restricted to the public and I was sure I would be unsuccessful since the UAE does not wish to show this aspect of their country. "So, I took pictures at night when it was much easier to hide from security. As soon as I started meeting labourers and getting to know them, I realised they were scared of me."
These people are afraid by the government.
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