DUBAI: Arabtec, Dubai’s largest construction firm, said yesterday the delivery of projects was unaffected by what it called a partial labour stoppage, adding it was working with authorities in the United Arab Emirates to resolve the issue.
Thousands of Arabtec workers have been on strike since Saturday demanding better wages, a rare labour protest in the Gulf Arab country which relies on migrant labourers hired on a contract basis from South Asian countries for construction work and which doesn’t allow trade unions.
Two Arabtec employees said yesterday that some workers had begun returning to work, but others continue to observe the stoppage. Workers, who are paid $160-$190 a month, said they had not been given any promises on wage increases.
“Arabtec has been working closely with the UAE Ministry of Labour, the Dubai Police and the concerned security authorities to resolve as soon as possible a partial workers stoppage by a limited number of Arabtec labour employees,” the company said in a bourse filing on Tuesday.
“Arabtec reiterates that project delivery timelines have and will not be affected.”
Reuters
