With no money and job, migrants cry for help
Summary
Date Reported: 28 Nov 2017
Location: Kuwait
Companies
Kharafi National - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 5700
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 300 - Nepal , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Right to Food , Recruitment Fees , Failing to renew visas , Contract Substitution , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Restricted mobility , Withholding Passports , Personal Health , Wage Theft , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The Nepali workers sought help from their local embassy and their recruitment agency but reported there had been no progress. The Kuwait Ministry of Labour and Employment had promised to resolve the matter. Some workers who could afford it returned home but only after paying a fine for overstaying. In December, 21 Nepali workers were repatriated. 3,614 Indian workers reportedly filed complaints; the Indian embassy stated it had received 2287 complaints. Indian government ministers visited Kuwait to resolve the issue with the government. The Kuwait government waived fines for overstaying in 25 day amnesty for migrant workers. but this had not been confirmed. In July 2018 it was reported that around 710 out of 3,600 Indian workers who had left between November 2017 and April 2018 would receive compensation for unpaid salaries and benefits.
Source type: News outlet
Nearly 150 Nepali migrant workers employed at one of the leading construction companies in Kuwait have been stranded for the last six months with no money and no valid visa...According to them, the company at one point of time had more than 2,000 Nepalis working for it. But, growing exploitation of workers for the last one year forced many to return home...The Nepali workers were promised 110 Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) during the interviews conducted in Nepal, which later came down to 90 KD when they signed the agreement. But once they paid the money to the recruiting agency, their actual salary plunged to just 70 KD...The stranded Nepali workers have sought help from the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait and SOS Manpower Private Limited. But they say they have lost hope as nothing has happened despite making frequent rounds of the embassy...