Saudi Police break up protest by sacked employees

Saudi Police break up protest by sacked employees

Former employees 'caused chaos' in hospital.

June 16, 2010 3:20 by Samuel Potter

More than 50 employees of an operation and maintenance company stormed into the office of the manager of King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Jeddah on Tuesday. Hospital authorities had to call police to disperse the workers who came to protest the termination of their contracts.

Dr. Sami Badawood, director of health affairs in Jeddah, said the incident took place at 12:15 p.m. The operation and maintenance company, which has a contract with the hospital, dismissed the employees on Monday after giving them one-month notice.

The hospital manager asked five employees to meet him to explain their grievances in order to maintain calm. “But they did not hear his advice and caused chaos inside the manager’s office and damaged some properties,” said Badawood.

He said police took control of the situation, recorded the incidents and heard the employees’ grievances. The hospital manager said the employees should have approached their company for clarification on the termination of their contracts instead of causing a disturbance at the hospital.

Badawood said police would complete the remaining measures against the rioting employees.

- Arab News