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27 Jun 2022

Gulf: Recruitment fee loans, low & delayed wages leading to suicide among Nepali workers, according to families; Jefferson, Qatar Tractor Equipment Co. & Taleb did not respond

In June 2022, NGO Migrant-Rights.org reported on the suicide rate of migrant workers in the Gulf as told by the families of eight Nepali workers who took their own lives. According to the families, financial burdens such as outstanding debt used to cover recruitment fees were triggers. Families are left bearing the cost of workers' loans taken out to pay for recruitment following their deaths.

Deb Bahadur Batala, Ishwor Tamang, and Bal Bahadur Kami reportedly worked or have only recently worked for Qatar-based companies: Jefferson International Trading and Contracting, Qatar Tractor and Equipment Co. (a Taleb subsidiary), and SAK Trading and Contracting, respectively, at the time of their death. Their bodies were found either in their labour accommodation or near their workplace. Bal and Ishwor both took out loans to pay for recruitment fees to secure jobs in Qatar – Bal’s family also said he did not receive his wage for months, which was only USD245. Deb’s contract had expired before his death, and his family did not receive compensation as a result.

The Resource Centre could not find contact working information for SAK Trading and Contracting. The Resource Centre reached out to Jefferson International, Qatar Tractor and Equipment Co. and its parent company Taleb for responses in June 2022; they did not respond.

Company Responses

Jefferson International Trading & Contracting

No Response

Qatar Tractor & Equipment Co.

No Response

Taleb Group

No Response

Timeline