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NGO Migrant Rghts alleged that at the time of writing, a total of about 650 employees of the Hasan Juma Backer Trading and Contracting Co. had not received wages for ten months. For most, their visas were expired and they didn't leave their accommodation for fear of arrest by police. The workers were liable for paying overstay fines to exit Oman or face prosecution. They have been reliant on food relief from local charities but refuse offers of help. The situation was triggered by the death of HJB's chairman near the end of 2016 and an internal management conflict led to company liquidation and the halt of wages to employees, some of whom had worked for the company for over 30 years. Additionally, the catering company providing the labourers with food terminated services as it was also owed money.
Companies
Hasan Juma Backer
- Employer
Affected
Total individuals affected:
650
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Bangladesh
, Construction
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- India
, Construction
, Gender not reported
)
,
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Pakistan
, Construction
, Gender not reported
)
Issues
Right to Food
,
Failing to renew visas
,
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions
,
Wage Theft
Response
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre; Migrant-Rights.org
"One of Oman’s richest construction companies leaves its workers in dire straits", April 25th, 2019
For the past 10 months, about 650 employees of the Hasan Juma Backer Trading and Contracting company (HJB) have not received their wages. Most of their visas have now expired, and they don’t leave the overcrowded camp in fear of being picked up by police. Though the company failed to renew their work permits, it is the workers who bear the liability of paying their overstay fines to exit the country or face prosecution. As of 5 March 2019, the catering company that provided food to the labour camps terminated its services, as HJB had not cleared dues of tens of thousands of rials.
Migrant-Rights.org contacted the liquidators, Hamad Al Sharji Peter Mansour & Co, and had not received a response at the time of publishing this piece.