Eight ‘threatened co-workers over Sharjah accommodation move’

Eight workers allegedly used sticks and knives to threaten co-workers who were ready to be moved from accommodation in Dubai to a place in Sharjah.

DUBAI // Eight workers are accused of threatening co-workers against moving to the company’s new accommodation in Sharjah, Dubai Criminal Court has heard.

The defendants - four Pakistanis, two Bangladeshis and two Indians aged between 20 and 32 - are charged with theft and with issuing threats, both of which they denied in court.

Prosecutors said that the company that they work for decided to move staff from Al Muhaisnah to new accommodation in Al Sajaa, Sharjah, a move that the defendants did not want.

On March 6, as the workers were preparing to move and had their belongings packed, the defendants arrived carrying sticks and knives and allegedly stole the ID cards of some of their colleagues.

They are also accused of threatening their fellow workers, ordering them not to move to the new location or else they will be attacked.

“We were sitting waiting for the move when they came and one was holding a knife. We agreed to what they wanted out of fear and when they fell asleep we got out of the accommodation and called the company’s owner,” said a 24-year-old Indian worker.

“Since we decided to shift, these workers never stopped inciting and encouraging other workers to strike against the move,” said the Indian business owner, 25.

A verdict will be issued on June 30.