Over 200 workers to be deported for violence

Dubai: More than 200 ETA-Ascon workers will be deported and receive a lifetime ban for destroying company buses and hurting their manager at their labour accommodation, said a senior labour official.

Humaid Bin Deemas, Assistant undersecretary, Ministry of Labour said the workers have crossed the line. He said: "Violence is a red line that should not have been crossed," he said.

Bin Deemas said Minister of Labour Dr. Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi ordered that 250 work permits will be issued to the company free of charge to replace the deported workers.

He said: "This is being done to compensate the company."

The workers had protested on Saturday demanding an increase in basic pay and annual leave with an air ticket. They earn an average of Dh550-650. They continued the protest yesterday, which turned violent. About 8,000 workers went back to work after the rampage.

Increase

The company agreed to increase Dh2 per day on their basic salary and pay a two-way airfare when they go on leave every two years.

Abdullah Saeed Bin Suloom, head of the labour inspection unit at the Labour Ministry and member of the Permanent Committee of Labour Affairs in Dubai, (PCLAD), who was in negotiations with the workers and the company, said: "Although the workers' claims are illegal, we agreed with the company's raising their salaries before the end of the contract period." Police controlled the workers as they turned violent at their accommodations in Sonapur and Al Quoz.

Brigader Abdul Al Jalil Mahdi Mohammad, Director of the Department of Preventive Security, said: "We needed to take precautionary measures as the workers were getting violent." An ETA-Ascon senior manager blamed outside influence for instigating workers.

Ahmad Al Mansouri, Director of the Emergency Department at Dubai Police said the workers took to the streets and destroyed a company bus as well as attacked the manager of the company.

He said: "Investigations revealed that a group of workers who want to take advantage of the ignorance of workers provoked the protest."

Abad Al Hakim Al Bannai, General Manager of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at the company, said the firm has incurred a Dh4 million loss as a result of the protest.

The Indian consulate said it was in talks with the company.

"We are not happy with the increase but we have no other option," said a worker.

It's a pity that Dubai treats its workers in such a way. Treat them humanely, they are humans too.
Ali
Dubai,UAE

Paying Dh600 is a very low salary for the workers, as they are working hard in the hot sun.
Shine
Dubai,UAE

This is a totally unacceptable act as per UAE law. The Ministry of Labour has taken the proper decision to deport the workers involved and this will be a lesson for others. On the other hand, the respective governments should take strong steps towards the minimum wage before sending a worker abroad.
M. A. W.
Sharjah,UAE

Shocking and disgusting are words that can be used to describe the treatment of these workers. I can see the demand for the market but this is no way to exploit these workers.
Kevin
Fort Lauderdale,USA

It is really sad to see the pay scale of these workers. I think the government should make a compulsory minimum pay scale for decent living of these people. It is for sure they are the supporting members of their family and their pay will not even take care of themselves.
Priya
Dubai,UAE

Why don't the authorities check the activities of the company, they should check the cause of the workers behaving like this. These workers have to be punished. Deportation was OK, but not with a life ban. Penalise the company also, if there is any fault from their side.
Peter
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Deporting those innocent workers will not solve the problem. Do you think Dh600 a month is a fit salary for a human being to survive on, and in addition feed hungry mouths back home?
Shakeel
Sharjah,UAE

I wonder what kind of living conditions those workers were living under? For them to all have turned surely raises questions and concerns about their living standards, treatment and general remuneration. The fact remains that if your workforce is content with full bellies, rarely will they rise up in large numbers. Perhaps an employee committee should have been formed to hear their concerns at an earlier stage?
Ahmed
Dubai,UAE

The workers who protested were wrong, but what made them reach this level of frustration? Volcanoes erupt in a day but the lava formation process is slow.
Alifiya
Dubai,UAE

The cost of construction has gone up by 30-40 per cent, partly due to a hike in the price of building materials and the cost of labour. However, the benefits are not passed on to these labourers, who toil in withering weather conditions to develop the city's infrastructure. The city's pets get a much better deal than these poor souls. It's a shame that reputed companies reflect quality and high service standards as a front, when their own backyard is littered and dirty. Shame on these companies!
Hanif
Dubai,UAE

The monthly salary for each worker is Dh550-600 and we want them not to protest!
Muhammad
Fujairah,UAE

There is no justification for violence. Workers resorted to violence without foresight. The average monthly pay of Dh550-650 is not enough for those who build by toiling. Companies are seen to win awards for their performance. Welfare of the sweating-class should also figure in this context.
Muhammad
Deira,UAE

I pity the fate of the labourers in Dubai. They live in shared, overcrowded accommodation which can become a source of illnesses and are underpaid. As for me, these people as the real heroes of this country, for without them, Dubai is not what it is now. I believe a healthy and prosperous nation depends on the happy and satisfied workers.
Albert
Kentucky,USA

The companies like ETA-Ascon which are making billions of profit annually should provide more benefits to their hardworking workers. As everybody knows, Dh600 is nothing in the high cost living standards of Dubai.
Ramkumar
Abu Dhabi,UAE

Violence is not a solution for the problems. Rights can get through legally.
Anilkumar
Dubai,UAE

I have lived in Dubai for 18 years. The salaries are almost the same as when I left 15 years ago, but the cost of living has sky rocketed.
Steve
St. Louis,USA

I am sorry for the workers! Have a lot to write but fear I might get deported too.
Khan
Abu Dhabi,UAE