Middle East & Africa: UK Export Finance agency reportedly funding projects linked to labour abuse & environmental damage; contains comment from UKEF
Summary
Date Reported: 31 Mar 2022
Location: Oman
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - India , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Poverty Wages , Withholding PassportsResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 31 Mar 2022
Location: Bahrain
Companies
Bahrain Petroleum Co (BAPCO) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - India , Oil, gas & coal , Gender not reported )Issues
Poverty Wages , Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 31 Mar 2022
Location: Kuwait
Companies
Kuwait Petroleum International Limited - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Oil, gas & coal , Gender not reported )Issues
Personal HealthResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
Action taken: None reported
Source type: News outlet
"Britain hands billions to projects linked to labour abuse and climate damage," 31 Mar 2022
The British government has provided more than £5bn in the past three years to overseas energy and infrastructure projects linked to labour abuses and environmental damage...
A review of an oil refinery upgrade programme in Kuwait, obtained by a freedom of information request, shows that UKEF knew of worker issues before it provided a $179m (£135m) support package in 2019. Employees and contractors were commonly working more than the maximum overtime hours allowed by legislation, and 87% of workers surveyed had not received an employment contract, according to the UKEF’s review...
Aditya*, 35, said he has been unable to leave his job in Oman. His employer is a sub-contractor involved in the construction of the country’s Duqm oil refinery project. Aditya said he worked 11-hour days, for $1.90 (£1.45) an hour. The Duqm oil refinery received £700m of UK funds in 2019...
Before awarding it $500m in 2019, a UKEF review flagged the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) oil refinery expansion project as having “forced and child labour and worker health and safety as potential project risks”...
TotalEnergies, KNPC, Bapco and OQ – the developer of the Duqm refinery – did not respond to requests for comment.
We undertake thorough reviews to ensure the management of environmental and social impacts and risks, including those associated with worker welfare, meet international industry standards following the provision of our support. No aspect of our commercial relationship with any company prevents us from taking action so that these standards are met for the duration of our support.UK Export Finance spokesperson