Police in Makkah reportedly intervened in their case after the company had complained to them. It said the project was due for completion within the next few days.

In its first phase, the metro is expected to operate at around a third of its capacity, transporting only domestic and GCC pilgrims this year. The train will become fully operational in 2012.

The officers reportedly questioned the workers using an interpreter to find out why they were striking. They were told that employees had not received their monthly salaries for months. The police then spoke to the company’s financial manager, who pledged to pay the workers.

Makkah police spokesman Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Mayman confirmed on Thursday that the company was now ready to pay their workers all their delayed salaries, adding that they had been convinced to resume work.