BEIRUT: Contract workers at Electricite Du Liban, who forced employees working in the Mar Mikhael offices of the company Wednesday to evacuate before the 4 p.m. shift began, will hold a meeting Thursday to decide on future action.

They were protesting the state-run company's failure to pay their salaries for two months. Over the past two months, they have also staged protests to demand full-time employment at the company.

Police were able to cut the metal chains workers placed around the gate facing Charles Helou Highway.

They also warned that remaining staff would have to consider themselves hostages since no one would be allowed to leave the building after 4 p.m.

The workers also told EDL employees not to come to work Thursday because they would be blocking entrances.