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April 28, 2008

Pitfalls in paradise

Why Palm Jumeirah is struggling to live up to the hype.

Palmdub Low-paid workers and villa gripes cast a cloud over 'eighth wonder of the world' in Dubai.

" ...this is no picture-book desert island. Its size is the most arresting characteristic for newcomers. An eight-lane motorway is at the Palm's trunk, and each frond is a mile long. Meanwhile, there is yet more expansion, with 40 hotels being built on the breakwater. [...] A nagging guilt for some is the quality of life of the migrant construction workers who built all this. Most are from India and Bangladesh and they travel in bus convoys from labour camps in the desert each morning. "

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