The United Arab Emirates is a country of immigrants and expats. 80% of the population was born somewhere else. The men in this picture come from places like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. They’ve just finished their shift at the Dubai dry docks, where they work in oppressive heat.

It’s my hope that because of the work they do now, their children will have the opportunity to come to Dubai as tourists, not workers. In 2030 they’ll be astounded by the Dubai mall, or go to the 125th floor of the Burj Khalifa to enjoy the view. If they look in the right direction they’ll see the towering yellow cranes, where their fathers worked to give them that opportunity.

*A video that shows just how many workers were leaving, here.