Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Gov’t intervenes in feud between Filipino, Egyptian workers in Dubai
THE Philippine Government has initiated discussions with the employer of the Filipino and Egyptian workers who engaged in a riot in Dubai last Saturday to prevent a repeat of the incident where five Filipinos got hurt.
“There has been an amicable discussion between the workers who clashed, the employers and the authorities. The problem has been settled,” said Administrator Marianito Roque of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa).
The Filipino workers were employed with the Arabian Aluminum Company in Dubai. The names of those injured were unavailable however. Seven were arrested and detained after the melee but they were already discharged.
A source said the Filipino workers started the fight after the Egyptians, who were playing football, accidentally kicked the ball toward a group of Filipinos who were having a drinking spree.
After the fight, the Egyptians left and went to the barracks of the Filipinos with about 300 companions and started searching the rooms of the Filipino workers.
Police authorities were able to contain the riot that lasted for six hours.
Other Filipino workers employed in the same company sought refuge at the Philippine consulate after the incident. (MSN/Sunnex)
