Indian workers to the Gulf stranded with expired visas while employers withhold passports & salary
Summary
Date Reported: 14 May 2020
Location: Kuwait
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - India , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Right to Food , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: Since reporting his case, the New Minute issued an update that the worker, together with a few others who also did not have valid residence permits, were granted Emergency Certificates which allow them one way travel back to India.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 14 May 2020
Location: Oman
Other
Not Reported ( Catering & food services ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh , Catering & food services , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - India , Catering & food services , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Pakistan , Catering & food services , Gender not reported )Issues
Right to Food , Failing to renew visas , Personal Health , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: The worker had repeatedly asked his company to renew his visa but they had not done so. The Omani government has granted amnesties to migrants whose residence visas expired only after the third week of March. The Indian embassy in Oman told the worker that he had to resolve the fine with the company. On approaching the company he was told he had to pay the fine, which he is unable to do as they have not paid him for seven months. The workers had filed a labour complaint against the compay for non-payment of wages.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 14 May 2020
Location: Kuwait
Other
Not Reported ( Retail ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - India , Retail , Gender not reported )Issues
Failing to renew visas , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Withholding Passports , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
"The pandemic has exacerbated the struggles of Indian migrant workers abroad," 14 May 2020
Migrant workers in the Gulf have not been paid for months and are faced with fines for overstaying their visas. Many are unable to afford the repatriation flights while some are forced to call home, asking for money...
According to a social worker in Oman ...the delay in renewing the residence permit is caused by the company...
"Even if the employee reminds the employer, they send them off assuring that they would renew it; but it always gets delayed... many workers do not get their salaries on time, they also fear that they would not get their overdue amount if they demanded an immediate renewal."