DUBAI, March 24: Authorities in the booming Gulf emirate of Dubai promised to prosecute Asian workers who took part in violent protests this week at the construction site of the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Some 2,500 mostly Asian workers at the Burj Dubai project site protested on Tuesday over their pay and work conditions with some turning violent and smashing cars and offices, causing damage estimated at one million dollars, the Khaleej Times daily reported.

“Riots and damaging others’ properties is against the law and those who were involved in these illegal practices will be investigated and submitted to justice,” an official was quoted as saying by the paper.

The workers employed by the Al-Naboodah Laing O’Rourke company were on strike till Thursday and were joined by others working for the same contractor on the multi-billion-dollar expansion of the city airport.

The government and police have threatened the workers with deportation if they do not resume work, the paper said.

The Burj Dubai tower, which aims to be the world’s tallest building at some 800 metres high, is being built by EMAAR, the world’s largest real estate company.—AFP