Employees of a Dubai security company refused to work yesterday, claiming they had not been paid in months. An estimated 400 guards, who work at hotels, offices and hospitals, chanted and held banners that read: “Give us freedom, we need Dubai Government to interfere, we need human rights.” One security guard... said he and his co-workers...have been suffering for almost five months...none of us has money to buy food and we are living in such terrible circumstances. Five to eight people live in each room and there is no air conditioning.”

The operational manager at the firm said..."we usually pay our workers once every two months, but we have problems with some clients who failed to pay us, and this is the reason behind delayed payments. The company is addressing this issue and will pay them their salaries this evening [Wednesday]...Previously the accommodation was much better, the quality of the beds, air conditioning...these have been damaged by the guards and this is the reason for the conditions.”