2,000 labourers damage company property

Dubai: Senior police officials suspect "spiteful hands" behind a protest yesterday evening where more than 2,000 workers violently rioted at Dubai Marina demanding a pay rise.

Workers from Al Ahmadiya Contracting and Trade blocked off their company?s construction site at about 6pm yesterday. Police said they came to the scene when workers began smashing company equipment, buses and machinery.

In a four hour standoff, about a 100 riot police surrounded the area as the mostly Indian workers refused to leave the site before their demand for a pay rise was met. They claimed they were paid Dh450 monthly, deducted money for food, and were treated badly by project managers.

But officials from the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs said the men were paid at least Dh650 and were refusing to negotiate with officials.

"These men have absolutely no right to protest," said Lieutenant Rashid Al Jumairy, a committee member. "The company has done nothing illegal, he said."

Top police official, Brigadier Mohammad Al Mansouri, confirmed at least three workers were arrested after they refused police orders to get on company buses, and tried to flee instead. Other workers pelted the buses with stones when they heard the order.