1,500 workers go on the rampage

Sharjah: About 1,500 protesting workers of an electro-mechanical company went on the rampage in Al Saja'a area of Sharjah on Tuesday, destroying documents and breaking glass facades of their accommodation, burning cars and the ground floor of the administration building.

They also burnt a number of buses and vehicles belonging to the company.

Brigadier Humaid Mohammad Al Hudaidi, Director General of Sharjah Police, said the workers also rushed out into the company car park and set ablaze five cars and damaged 40 cars and 28 buses. They also tried to assault police officers and labour officials.

Brig Hudaidi said a fortnight ago the workers had named a representative to speak with labour officials for a salary hike. The officials were in discussions with the company management to reach a solution.

"Before a solution could be found, the labourers went on a rampage. A group of workers was also involved in provoking the rest to go on strike and vandalism," said Brig Hudaidi. A company source told Gulf News a handful of workers provoked the rest of the group into staging the protest. Some of the workers were arrested.

- With additional inputs from Sunita Menon/Staff Reporter