A day after an Indian worker died in Bahrain during protest over delay of salary payments, New Delhi took up the matter at ‘the highest level’ with the local Government. About 350 workers of GP Zachariadis Overseas Ltd...went on strike due to non-payment of salary for nearly two months. The company, which employs nearly 1,500 Indian workers, has been faced with severe financial hardship which resulted in non-payment of salary/dues to it workers.

On January 3, 2017, after intervention of the Indian Embassy and Bahrain’s abour Ministry, the company paid the pending salaries next day. However, the company again failed to pay the next salary, which was due on January 12. On January 15, nearly 200 workers...started a protest due to non-payment of their salary. The company had approached the Bahraini Police authorities to intervene in the matter. During the protest, one of the workers, Narayanan Pitchai, an Indian national, fainted. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared...dead.

The police authorities have confirmed to the Indian Embassy that since it was a peaceful protest, no police action was taken against them.  Several workers on protest also conveyed to the Indian Embassy officials that no action was taken by police on the protestors. However, keeping in mind the hardships of Indian worker due to non-payment of salary, the Indian Embassy has taken-up the matter at high level. “Bahraini authorities have expressed regret at the incident and have assured that safety and wellbeing of all workers, including Indian nationals, remains their first priority. They have also conveyed that they would do their best on this matter,” Swarup said.