Friday, August 11 2006 16:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Manama: More than 750 Indian and Pakistani construction workers went on a strike to protest against 'appalling' conditions at their labour camp here after two of the labourers collapsed due to dehydration.

The workers have alleged their camp has been going without water and electricity for one month and said there was a 'complete blackout' for the last three days.

They said the situation has not improved despite repeated complaints to their employer, Dubai-based Al Hamad Construction and Development and there for they decided to stake work yesterday (Aug 10, 2006) onwards.

Two men, Bhimaram Nehra and Mohammed Munshi Ali reportedly collapsed yesterday due to dehydration following which they had to be hospitalised, Bahrain-based daily Gulf Daily News said.

The workers have said they will not go to work until their protests are registered and they are provided basic facilities.

Their employer, however, claimed that company has provided generators at the labour camp. Company officials said the Ministry of Electricity and Water Supply was responsible for the laspe.

The workers also said they were threatened with deportation if any complaints were made about the lack of facilities. The accommodation managers were "abusive and threatening," they added.

"If we tell our basic needs to our labour camp manager, he pretends as if he doesn't hear or tells us that we can run away if we don't like it there," said one worker.

"We had warned them on Wednesday night that we would go on strike, but they ignored us," he said.