Dubai: A group of at least 100 construction workers gathered near the Dubai Mall early on Tuesday morning to protest over unpaid bonuses, some of the workers and officials confirmed to Gulf News.

The dispute briefly caused traffic jams at an intersection near the mall but was resolved in an hour, the Dubai Media Office said on its Twitter account.

Dubai Police has successfully resolved a dispute between a group of construction workers and their company, said Dubai Media Office.

Dubai Police has coordinated with the employer to resolve the demands of the workers, assuring that their rights will be protected and that the issue will be brought to the concerned, so as to take the required actions in accordance with the laws.

The workers, many of whom were clad in neon vests, said they work for a contractor building the under-construction Fountain Views in Downtown Dubai.

Dubai Police Chief Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said that a group of labourers gathered to complain about delayed bonuses for extra working hours. Dubai Police interfered and managed to resolve the issue in less than an hour, after workers were promised that their demands will be carefully considered, Al Mazeina said.

He added that the UAE’s labour laws are clear and enacted to boast the worker’s rights, saying that the required procedures will be taken within the legal frameworks.

Al Mazeina also explained that the presence of Dubai Police at the scene was just a standard precautionary measure to maintain order and to ensure optimal level of public safety and the whole situation was handled in a very professional and civilized manner.

A human rights official at the scene told Gulf News they are helping resolve the dispute with the employers at the earliest.

gulfnews.com/RI