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Article

19 Nov 2023

Author:
By Katie McQue and Mark Townsend, The Guardian (UK)

British Overseas Territory: KBR allegedly “mistreating” migrant workers on UK & USA military base, incl. failure to repatriate worker's body after unexplained death, incl. co comment

See all tags Allegations

“Family still wait for return of migrant worker’s body after unexplained death on UK-US military base”

A major US defence contractor has failed to repatriate the body of a migrant worker who died under unexplained circumstances on the British-owned island of Diego Garcia more than a month ago, the Observer has learned.

Saddam Ali died after a short illness …on the secretive joint UK-US military base…His family allege that KBR … failed to get the 33-year-old Indian sufficient medical assistance…

…KBR said: “Saddam reported ill to us Monday, 16 October and we transferred him to the naval doctors and called a medevac [medical evacuation] for him that same day.”

…Hasan and three KBR workers claim Ali’s body remains on Diego Garcia…

…Questions over the potential mishandling of Ali’s medical care comes amid allegations that KBR is “mistreating” its migrant workforce on the base…

… UK officials suspected KBR of recruiting undocumented workers for the military base…

KBR…refuted allegations that it recruited undocumented workers and denied the FCDO investigation took place…

All the interviewees requested anonymity. They allege a culture of fear on the base, with managers telling staff there is a zero-tolerance policy for workers who speak out…