JEDDAH — Scores of migrant laborers took to the streets in one of the neighborhoods of the capital Doha late on Friday in protest over unpaid wages.

The images and videos of the protest posted on social media platforms prompted the government to acknowledge it.

On Saturday the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affair issued a statement, saying: “In response to the late settlement of salaries, a small number of expatriate workers conducted a peaceful protest in the Msheireb area on May 22.

The ministry said it was investigating the incident in coordination with competent bodies and will ensure employers pay the wages in the next few days.

“Following an immediate investigation (the ministry) has taken steps to ensure that all salaries will be promptly paid in the coming days, the ministry said in the statement carried by state news agency QNA.

The ministry said it would impose penalties against companies violating the labour law, the agency added without details.

“The Development Ministry calls on employers and companies to necessarily follow its instructions on their legal obligations during the virus outbreak," the ministry said.

Expatriate workers make up for 90 percent of Qatar’s population as the country completes dozens of mega-projects ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

But the coronavirus and its devastating economic impact have left many workers sick and others unemployed, unpaid and at the mercy of employers, according to an AFP report. — Agencies