The Kuwait Tragedy Exposes Migrant Worker Exploitation In GCC – OpEd
Kuwait experienced one of the most tragic labour camp disasters on June 12. A massive fire in Mangaf claimed the lives of 49 workers, mostly Indians, and left many others injured, marking it the deadliest building fire in Kuwait’s history. This catastrophe has sparked calls for accountability from real estate owners and employers who endanger lives by overcrowding foreign labourers in unsafe living conditions to cut costs...
The building, which reportedly violated several safety regulations, was leased to KG Abraham, a Kuwait-based Malayali businessman. KG Abraham is the partner and managing director of the NBTC Group, one of the largest construction companies in the Gulf region, which owns the Kuwait building.
... The [Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Defense and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah] minister declared the fire a catastrophe and announced that municipal teams would inspect all buildings and enforce regulations without prior warning. The Public Authority of Manpower will also begin addressing the overcrowding of expatriate workers and safety violations from tomorrow...
The public has taken to social media, demanding stringent measures against violators and those involved in human trafficking. A former minister urged the incident to trigger a thorough review of corruption related to trafficking in unskilled workers and housing violations. A former lawmaker blamed the legalization of illicit human trafficking and government negligence for the tragedy, calling for strict enforcement of the law and practical solutions to prevent future disasters. A legal expert criticized the negligence of authorities and the greed of businessmen, questioning who will protect expatriates from exploitation. Another scholar highlighted the incident as a reflection of landlords’ greed and the government’s failure to enforce regulations...