Resumo
Data informada: 28 nov 2017
Localização:
Kuwait
In November 2017 it was reported that up to 300 Nepali migrant workers employed by Kharafi National in Kuwait had been stranded for six months with no wages during that time and expired visas which means that have not been confined within the company premises for fear of being arrested. The workers paid fees to a recruitment agency. On arriving in Kuwait they found that their salaries were lower than had been agreed before leaving Nepal. The workers were also going without food and their living conditions had deteriorated.
In January 2018, it was reported that a further 5000 Indian nationals, also employed by Kharafi National, had been stranded in Kuwait for over 18 months in similar circumstances amounting to forced labour after the company partially closed. Around 1,800 workers had resigned in response but were stranded without food, water and shelter. They also faced unpaid salaries, took loans to survive and lacked travel documents. Some workers reported that their passports were being withheld by the company and faced fines for overstaying with expired visas. Others reported that they lacked urgent medical attention. Around 45 companies held a protest at the company’s headquarters.
Empresas
Kharafi National
- Employer
Afetados
Total de pessoas afetadas:
5700
Trabalhadores migrantes e imigrantes: (
300
- Nepal
, Construção Civil
, Gênero não informado
)
Temas
Trabalho Forçado e trabalho análogo à escravidão
,
Direito à Alimentação
,
Taxas de Recrutamento
,
Não renovação de vistos
,
Substituição de contratos
,
Condições de vida precárias/inadequadas
,
Mobilidade restrita
,
Retenção de documentos de identificação
,
Saúde pessoal
,
Roubo de salários
,
Privação da liberdade de ir e vir
Resposta
Resposta solicitada: Sim, por Resource Centre
História contendo resposta
(Saiba mais)
Medidas tomadas: 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.
Tipo de fonte: News outlet