Over 3,000 Indian workers are reportedly stranded in Kuwait after the company employing them has failed to pay their salaries. The fact that their visas have expired and the company has kept their passports has only added to their woes.
Over 3,000 Indian workers are reportedly stranded in Kuwait after the company employing them has failed to pay their salaries. The fact that their visas have expired and the company has kept their passports has only added to their woes.
The construction company, Kharafi National, said it doesn't have funds to pay salaries to the workers as projects have dried up. A Times of India report said that the company has not paid their salaries for a year.
The workers, 3,242 in number, are from different parts of India, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Social activist Shaheen Sayyed who is closely associated with the workers said, "Kuwait government is aware of the situation, it has said that the workers' bank accounts have been frozen."
She has also been trying to provide food to the workers. "We requested a local gurudwara and they have come forward to assist us. There are many workers who have become suicidal and need help. I've been counselling them against taking any extreme step," Sayeed said.
They cannot even go to hospitals for treatment as they would be caught for staying in the country illegally.
With no solution in sight, many workers are contemplating suicide.
While some of them are demonstrating before the office, others are staying at a camp on the outskirts of the city. Shaheen claimed that the Indian embassy is aware of the situation and has urged the government to set up a welfare fund to solve the financial crisis faced by the Indian workers.
"We are trying to highlight this issue to the Indian government through social media," Shaheen added.
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 "Indian workers protesting at the Kharafi National's office in Kuwait")
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