Asian Construction Workers Riot in Dubai

[leftchick]

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - About 2,500 foreign construction workers rioted over wages and working conditions at a building site in Dubai, smashing equipment and vehicles in the second violent protest by construction workers in a month in the fast-growing city.

Witnesses said workers employed by Al-Ahmadiah Contracting company demonstrated for more than four hours Wednesday at the Dubai Marina, 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 ($123) a month," one worker said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared retribution. "It's not enough. We can't save any money."

Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Mansouri of Dubai Police said three workers were arrested.

Last month, workers rioted at the site of a building intended to be the world's tallest skyscraper, smashing cars and offices and causing an estimated $1 million in damages. After the protest, the United Arab Emirates government said it would pass a law to give laborers the right to form trade unions and bargain collectively.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060427/ap_on_re_mi_ea/emirates_workers_protest

[fasttense]

1. This is what bush* wants to turn the US into - a bigger UAE economy. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

2. Good sign, labor is going to organize. eom

[DBoon]

3. anything to do with a Dubai company running our ports?

Maybe Bush wants them to apply these same labor policies to our unionized dockworkers as well. Use foreign ownership as a union-busting measure.