Saudi workers set fire to buses after nonpayment of wages, firing

Workers at a major Saudi construction firm set fire to nine company buses in Mecca to protest thousands of dismissals and nonpayment of salaries after the company announced that it would terminate 50,000 staff. The workers' action came two days after Saudi Al-Watan newspaper reported the company laid off 50,000 foreign employees and issued them exit visas. Local officials said there were no injuries in the incidents.