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Friday, October 15, 2010     GET YOUR INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING

Chinese laborers clash with Saudis near Mecca

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has cracked down on its Chinese labor force.

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Saudi security forces have clashed with Chinese workers amid complaints of low and delayed salaries and poor conditions. Officials said the Chinese unrest was organized around the city of Mecca.

"The arrested workers will be banished from the country if they are found to have been involved in the rioting, but only after the completion of routine procedures in such situations," Mecca police Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al Maiman said.


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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.



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