The crackdown has focused on the new Chinese emigrant community in
Mecca. About 8,000 laborers, assigned to build a railroad, have been living
in the Saudi city, with another 6,000 Chinese expected to join them, Middle East Newsline reported.
On Oct. 13, Chinese workers rampaged throughout a company labor camp in
protest of poor salaries and conditions. Officials said the workers damaged
facilities and offices of the Chinese contractor assigned to build the
so-called
Holy Sites Railway Project.
"The swift move by police, including the arrest of 16 ringleaders,
brought the rampage under control," Al Maiman said.
Al Maiman said authorities were investigating the rampage. He said those
found to have participated in the riots would be deported.
Officials said the Chinese contractor has not brought charges against
the rioters. They said the company has continued the railway project.
The railroad project has also been marred by widespread theft. Two
Chinese laborers have been arrested on charges of selling steel to a Saudi
contractor for much lower than the market price.
"The work on the railway is progressing without any halt and will be
completed in time," Habib Zain Al Abdeen, a Saudi project official, said.