Work on the $6 billion landmark Durrat Al Bahrain project was hit yesterday as more than 1,300 labourers downed tools in a dispute over pay.

Workers from the GP Zacharides company, who are based at a labour camp in the landmark Durrat Al Bahrain development, went on strike demanding better salaries and complaining of poor living conditions.

The men were protesting being paid between BD60 and BD85, although the company said the salaries ranged from BD75 to BD150.

Employees claim their basic monthly pay is only BD57 and they are not provided with adequate medical facilities.

The strike comes days after Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty said his government was planning to introduce a BD100 minimum wage for all workers in the Gulf.

It is the second major strike in Bahrain in less than a week after nearly 750 Asian workers downed tools at Almoayyed Contracting demanding better pay. - TradeArabia News Service