Dubai, September 01: Hundreds of workers went on strike claiming unpaid salaries, and though the Ministry of Labour found no labour discrepancies, the protests continued till late on Monday.
About 300 workers of Al Habtoor Engineering demonstrated peacefully at a Deira labour accommodation on Sunday night. By Monday morning, the protests spread to the accommodation in Jebel Ali and a worksite in Deira.
Though these sporadic incidents were brought under control by the police and labour ministry officials, amid claims of resolution, it was clearly far from over.
Police control said 400 people marched from Jebel Ali to Al Quoz on Monday night over the same issue. Some were seen throwing garbage cans in departure from the peaceful trend.
Acting Labour Ministry Director-General Humaid bin Deemas told official news agency Wam, “An inspection of the company records clearly showed that it had been paying the wages of the workers with delay or deductions.”
Colonel Ali Abdulla Al Ghaithi, Deputy Director of General Department of Emergency of the Dubai Police and Transport Security Supervisor, said of the earlier two incidents, “It was a peaceful.” None was injured nor damage caused.
The ministry’s inspection showed that the demands included an increase in overtime. The company had reduced them following directives from the ministry and according to international norms governing overtime.
“The team of inspectors decided to visit the labour camp when they (the striking workers) refused to come over to the ministry’s office to register their demands and complete an investigation on the issue,” Wam reported.
A Pakistani worker, who asked not to be named, said his salary was overdue. “I did not get my salary for the last three months,” he claimed. “Also we are demanding an increase.”
An Indian worker, who also asked not to be named, said their salaries were not enough for the increased cost of living in the country. “It is very difficult to survive.”
A Bangladeshi worker said the company paid between Dh500 and Dh700 per month and did not allow overtime to enable more money.
David Savage, Managing Director of Al Habtoor Leighton Group, said the company and protesting workers had reached an amicable agreement and employees would resume work on Tuesday.
Savage said workers who wanted to return home would be given their salaries, end of service benefits and a return ticket home.
–Agencies