UAE | Employment
Thousands of workers stop work demanding increase in salary
Around 3,500 workers yesterday protested at their accommodation in Sonapur demanding an increase in salary and annual leave.
- By Wafa Issa, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 March 11, 2007
- Image Credit: Wafa Issa/Gulf News
- Workers protest in demand of salary increase at their accommodation in Sonapur yesterday.
Dubai: Around 3,500 workers yesterday protested at their accommodation in Sonapur demanding an increase in salary and annual leave.
Workers of ETA Ascon stopped work demanding a rise in their basic salary as they consider it to be too low. Their salaries range from Dh550 to 650 per month depending on the agreement each has signed. The workers demand an increase of Dh250 to 450.
"What we earn today is too little compared to the costs, everything is getting more expensive but our salaries stay the same," said a worker.
The workers started protest around 5am. They were held back by security guards and were not allowed outside the accommodation premises. The workers ended their protest at 11am and resumed work, according to the company statement.
Workers told Gulf News they will not work the whole day in protest but said they will follow the normal timings from today.
The workers - from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan - also want a month's annual leave with an air ticket. "We want to have the opportunity to visit families," said a worker.
Free gas supply is another demand. Representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Dubai Police were present on the site, but officials were not available for comment.
A statement sent to Gulf News by ETA Ascon said: "ETA Ascon management will study their demand and will get back with response in one week's time. Workers have resumed their duties normally following that."
The Indian Consulate said ETA told them the wages are paid regularly and facilities are provided as per the labour laws. "They assured that they would address all genuine grievances of the workers," B.S. Mubarak, Consul (Labour, Welfare and Information), told Gulf News. "We are in constant touch with the company."
Your comments
As day-to-day consumable prices shoot up, wages should also be increased.
F.Khan
Dubai,UAE
They do the real hard work, that no others can do, far away from their families. They work with very low salaries, we should help them out. I am sure the government will help them.
seemakhan
dxb,UAE
Its high time for companies to give a reasonable wage for their employees as the cost of living here has shot up in recent years. We have to understand the workers' plight.
T. Thomas
Deira,Dubai
Even after getting minimum wages people are unable to survive. Therefore, salaries should be increase.
T.K.
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Labour are the most exploited class and noone can do anything for them. This exploitation is another form of slavery.
J. Peter
Trivandrum,India
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