DUBAI (AP)
BD45-a-month labourers smash equipment, cars

About 2,500 Asian construction workers went on the rampage yesterday, smashing equipment and vehicles in protest over wages and working conditions. The riot at the Dubai Marina was the second violent protest by construction workers in two months in the city, which depends heavily on workers from the Indian Subcontinent.
Workers employed by Al Ahmadiah Contracting company demonstrated for more than four hours, clashing with riot-police and smashing vehicles and machinery at the waterfront site, which includes residential towers, outdoor cafes and a marina.
“We get 450 dirhams (BD45 approx) a month,” one worker said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he feared retribution. “It’s not enough. We can’t save any money.”
Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al Mansouri said three workers were arrested. Witnesses said they saw five being arrested.
Last month, workers rioted at the site of a building that is intended to be the world’s tallest skyscraper, smashing cars and offices. It was estimated that the damage would cost $1 million to repair. After the March protest, the UAE government said it would pass a law to enable labourers the right to form trade unions and bargain collectively.
The New York-based Human Rights Watch rebuked the UAE government last month for allowing what it called wanton abuse of Asian workers.
The rights group said the building boom in Dubai and other Emirates cities was taking place at the expense of hundreds of thousands of underpaid workers from India, Pakistan, China and other Asian countries.
A Labour Ministry official rejected such charges last week, saying the government was committed to protecting workers’ rights.