abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

11 Aug 2020

Author:
Sebastian Castelier, Al Monitor

Gulf: "Crisis" as 500,000 repatriated workers unable to access justice & obtain unpaid wages amid COVID-19

See all tags Allegations

"Gulf migrant workers face crisis of unpaid wages amid pandemic," 10 Aug 2020

The double blow of low oil prices and the coronavirus crisis has already pushed over half a million migrant workers out of Arab Gulf states...

Returned to their countries of origin in haste, migrant workers whose wages have not been paid are unable to defend their rights in the Gulf’s courts of justice. Their embassies have come under criticism for largely refusing to document grievances before repatriation..

only a negligible number of cases reach the courts as migrant workers, who are the backbone of Gulf economies, often simply give up and return home empty-handed...

most unpaid workers have the right to mandate by power of attorney their embassies to act on their behalves to seek compensation... Foreign missions argue they cannot replace failing national justice systems, nor do they have sufficient resources to do so.