The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government has instructed embassies in Kuwait and other Gulf countries to remain alert about any untoward incident involving Bangladeshi workers and to take prompt action.

"At home, the government is taking steps to clean up the recruitment process that lie at the root of the plight of the Bangladeshi workers working abroad," a foreign ministry press release said here on Sunday.

Elaborating the recent incidents centering Bangladeshi workers serving in Kuwait and other Gulf countries, the foreign ministry said during the last few weeks, a large number of press reports as well as commentaries have been printed in Bangladeshi newspapers on the plight of Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait. The electronic media has also broadcast a number of programs on this issue.

Kuwait is an important destination for Bangladeshi workers. At present there are about 2,50,000 Bangladeshis working in Kuwait. In 2007-2008 Bangladesh received a remittance amounting to US$ 779.4 million from Kuwait. The welfare of the workers is a prime concern of the government and the recent unfortunate events surrounding the Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait has been a cause of deep concern for the government.

On 20 July about 5000 workers of a local cleaning company went on strike against long standing grievances that included payment of lower salaries than the contracted amount, non payment of salary, long working hours with no holidays or leave, non payment of overtime, poor living conditions, inadequate medical facilities, maltreatment by supervisors including physical abuse, deduction of fees for Iquma (Residency permit) contrary to contract provisions etc.

A large number of workers of other companies also joined the strike. At one stage the striking workers resorted to some violent activities including damaging vehicle.

Soon after the trouble started, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Foreign Adviser, spoke to the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al- Sabah. In this very fruitful conversation, Dr. Al-Sabah agreed to look into the grievances and to issue instructions to resolve the impasse. He also assured the Dr Iftekhar that innocent workers would not be subjected to any harassment.

Following this, an intense negotiation was arranged involving the labour representatives, company owners, the officials of the Kuwaiti government and the Embassy of Bangladesh and a deal was struck. Under this agreement, the authority concerned gave assurance to fulfil the demands of the workers and consequently, the workers called off their strike. Following the successful negotiations, more than 80 thousand workers of 27 companies resumed their work.

In line with the four party negotiations, the press release said Kuwaiti government was very prompt in implementing the provisions of the deal by enacting a bill in the parliament. The Government of Kuwait, through this bill, took a decision to fix the minimum salary of the workers to KD 40 (earlier there was no statutory minimum salary and workers were often paid KD 18-20).

The Government of Kuwait also declared that no company can make any kind of deduction from the salary of the workers for renewal of residency, medical, insurance or for any other work related fees. The employing companies were also asked to strictly abide by the new regulations. So the diplomatic efforts launched by Bangladesh authorities proved fruitful.

Law and order in Kuwait being very strict, some workers who engaged in violent activities were arrested either on the spot or later on the basis of video evidence. Some workers have subsequently been deported to Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait, inspite of its limited resources, made active endeavors to resolve the problem and contain the damage. From the beginning of the situation mission officials engaged with both the striking workers and the Kuwaiti authorities.

It was through their active role in the four-party negotiations that many of the longstanding grievances were removed. Three hundred of the detained workers were also released through their efforts and arrear of the deported workers would be realised from the companies.

On 17 August 5000 workers of Al Zohora Cleaning Company started a fresh strike, but due to prompt intervention by the mission and Kuwaiti authorities, the workers called off their strike on 18 August 2008 and resumed their duties.

It may also be noted that there are some workers from Bangladesh as well as from other countries who do not have valid and appropriate documentation. Deportation of such workers is a routine matter that goes on round the year.

It must be borne in mind that diplomacy with the Gulf countries have to be conducted very subtlety. Sometimes they prefer telephonic and written communications and informal discussions to formal visits of delegations which run the risk of being seen as exertion of public pressure. Different cultures prefer to deal with foreigners in different ways, and Bangladeshi diplomacy is required to appreciate that and act accordingly, the release contained.