FINANCE-ECONOMY-UAE-EMPLOYMENT

TO GO WITH AFO STORY BY ALI KHALIL Expatriates walk along a palm tree-line street in one of Dubai's plush areas in the morning on December 22, 2009. The Gulf emirate's rapid expansion in recent years provided jobs for millions, but the global financial meltdown has abruptly ended the dream for many people as more and more firms sack staff to cut costs. Spectacular economic growth, spurred by a robust construction sector, lured people from far and wide to the booming city on the shores of the Gulf, tempted by high pay, low tax and -- for many Europeans -- the year-round sunshine. AFP PHOTO/MARWAN NAAMANI