Bahrain: Construction and sanitation workers allegedly subject to labour abuse including withheld wages and passports
Summary
Date Reported: 25 Oct 2019
Location: Bahrain
Companies
MidTown Contracting and Services - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 40 - India , Construction , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 5 - Pakistan , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Right to Food , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Restricted mobility , Withholding Passports , Personal Health , Wage Theft , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) worked in response to the GDN reporting, securing more than 100 passports held by the employer. Together with the Indian embassy they supplied food aid to the workers. A lawyer was appointed on behalf of the workers, but it was not clear by whom. The men were also being supported by local charity organisations.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 25 Oct 2019
Location: Bahrain
Companies
Sea Breeze International Cleaning Services - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 40 - India , Waste disposal , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 5 - Pakistan , Waste disposal , Gender not reported )Issues
Right to Food , Wage Theft , Freedom of Movement , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Restricted mobility , Withholding Passports , Personal HealthResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) worked in response to the GDN reporting, securing more than 100 passports held by the employer. Together with the Indian embassy they supplied food aid to the workers. A lawyer was appointed on behalf of the workers, but it was not clear by whom. The men were also being supported by local charity organisations.
Source type: News outlet
"Labour officials helping workers forced to sleep outdoors," 25 Oct 2019
Workers forced to sleep outdoors because their company did not pay the power bill... had allegedly not been paid for three months.
Electricity to their home was cut off after their employer allegedly failed to pay the bill for their accommodation...
The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has... retrieved passports of more than 100 employees...
The firms are Mid Town Contracting and Services and Sea Breeze International Cleaning Services, but company officials could not be reached for comment...
The men earlier said that they feared they may never get their salaries if they leave Bahrain.
However, a lawyer appointed on their behalf said...
“The men will have to sign a power of attorney for the embassy to legally get their pending wages... Most of them are soon leaving and it might be difficult to get their claims settled quickly..."
The Migrant Workers Protection Society and Discover Islam were among organisations which responded with aid for the workers.