Many construction workers deported

Dubai: Dozens of construction workers were deported after attacking colleagues who broke a five-day protest for better wages, costing their company millions.

Eighty-six Besix construction workers were deported on Monday, confirmed a senior government official involved in labour affairs.

The official said the men had organised the protest which began on May 16, when 8,000 Besix labourers stopped work across the UAE, for a Dh5 daily increase, a bigger food allowance, and several other demands.

Some protesters beat up 50 colleagues on Saturday evening, lightly injuring the men, after they went to work, effectively breaking the strike.

The protest halted work on about 17 projects, including on Burj Dubai, causing a direct loss of Dh5 million, and an indirect loss of between Dh10 million to Dh15 million. The official said building two floors of Burj Dubai was also delayed.