Thousands jailed in UAE after "rampage"

Thousands of Indian workers have been jailed after a massive riot at a Ras Al Khaimah labour camp last Friday, according to local paper The Khaleej Times.

The report said about 3000 labourers now face charges of arson and rioting after they allegedly went on a rampage to protest against poor living conditions and low wages. The riot was only stopped following the intervention of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) army, said the report.

The Indian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Talmiz Ahmed, said the workers, all of whom are believed to be employees of RAK Ceramics, set ablaze trucks, buses and cars while also destroying furniture during the protest.

Quoted by the paper, the Minister for Overseas Indians' Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, said men are now being held in three jails across the UAE.