Arabtec workers return to work after strike
Ministry of Labour official says that crisis management committee looking into workers’ issues
Arabtec workers have returned to work following a strike over low wages and unpaid overtime.
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Thousands of Arabtec workers who went on strike earlier this week over low salaries and unpaid overtime have returned to their worksites after being promised that their issues will be sorted out.
Workers in Abu Dhabi were the first to down tools, while Arabtec workers in Dubai joined in the next day, a report in Gulf News reported.
The workers, from the South East Asian countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal, all stayed in their accommodation rather than going to their work sites.
A senior official from the Ministry of Labour said that the labour crisis management committee followed up on the issues raised by the Arabtec workers. He added that the workers were paid on time.
“Our investigations revealed that the company is paying workers according to the labour contracts it signed with them,” the top official added.
The labour crisis management committee comprises police, labour, residency department and other government bodies.
Dubai Police said that they are working with the Ministry of Labour and the company to sort out the workers’ issues.
According to an Arabtec company spokesman the workers are paid on time and are given free food and accommodation, health insurance and transport to work.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Labour and police to sort out the problem,” the spokesman said.
