A group of 41 labourers who said they were forced to sleep rough on the streets of Manama, Bahrain because their employer allegedly failed to pay them have finally collected their salaries.

They received their payment for three months and passports from their employer yesterday during a meeting at Hoora Police Station, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The GDN reported yesterday that the workers, a mix of Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese and Bangladeshi nationals, had filed a complaint against their employer Mafco Construction.

They claimed to have been evicted from their labour accommodation in Manama because they were two months late on their rent.

Company owner Mohammed Shehabi, who is running for a seat on the Northern Municipal Council, earlier told the GDN that the workers only had two months worth of wages outstanding and he did not know "what they are complaining about".

"We are happy that finally our problem is resolved and we received our wages," a worker, who asked to remain anonymous, told the GDN.

"Ten out of 41 of us are not willing to stay here or continue working with the same company and want to go back home.

"Others are unable to leave the job as they have responsibilities and need to support their families, so they would like to continue working here.

"It has been hard to survive without having any money, but we would like to thank the authorities for helping and supporting us."

The labourers are employed by Mafco Construction's cleaning and maintenance section covering Gosi Complex, Gulf Industrial Investment Company and Last Chance's Manama and Muharraq branches.

The workers raise a victory salute affter getting their wages and passports. - TradeArabia News Service