Chinese workers protest
Kuwait Times, Tuesday, May 2, 2006
By Nancy Oteifa
KUWAIT: Around 300 Chinese construction workers held a protest yesterday in front of the Chinese Embassy against salary payment policies and wage rates. "These workers are paid KD 40 per month and their salary is send to their folks in China. They are only left with pocket money. The workers resent the fact that their salary is transferred to China. They want to be paid here," said Consul Hei Yanhai. "Some of them are protesting over the amount of money they get here, because salaries in China are much higher compared to what they take in Kuwait," he added.
Some workers wanted to quit their jobs and return home, while others agreed to stay if they are paid here not in their country. Police surrounded the angry protestors, preventing reporters from speaking to them. The consul was trying to calm down the workers and reach a solution. After more than an hour, the workers where taken by buses back to their worksite.
Protests and demonstrations by poorly-paid and ill-treated manual labourers, mostly Asian, have become a common occurrence in the oil-rich Arab Gulf states. Recent strikes in Dubai prompted the government to arrest and deport dozens of labourers involved in last Wednesday's strike. Last year, hundreds of Bangladeshis stormed their own embassy in Kuwait, protesting working conditions that have been labelled as 'modern day slavery' by local and international human rights activists.
KUWAIT: Around 300 Chinese construction workers held a protest yesterday in front of the Chinese Embassy against salary payment policies and wage rates. "These workers are paid KD 40 per month and their salary is send to their folks in China. They are only left with pocket money. The workers resent the fact that their salary is transferred to China. They want to be paid here," said Consul Hei Yanhai. "Some of them are protesting over the amount of money they get here, because salaries in China are much higher compared to what they take in Kuwait," he added.
Some workers wanted to quit their jobs and return home, while others agreed to stay if they are paid here not in their country. Police surrounded the angry protestors, preventing reporters from speaking to them. The consul was trying to calm down the workers and reach a solution. After more than an hour, the workers where taken by buses back to their worksite.
Protests and demonstrations by poorly-paid and ill-treated manual labourers, mostly Asian, have become a common occurrence in the oil-rich Arab Gulf states. Recent strikes in Dubai prompted the government to arrest and deport dozens of labourers involved in last Wednesday's strike. Last year, hundreds of Bangladeshis stormed their own embassy in Kuwait, protesting working conditions that have been labelled as 'modern day slavery' by local and international human rights activists.
Chinese workers demonstrate
The Daily Star [Kuwait Edition], Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Abdullah AI-Najjar
KUWAIT: Tens of Chinese workers gathered in front of their embassy in Yarmouk on Monday to protest the non-payment of their salaries by their employer for six consecutive months. The workers are affiliated to a local firm that engages in large projects in various areas in the country.
There were nearly 150 workers protesting. Embassy officials contacted security authorities as a precautionary measure to prevent workers from breaking into the embassy's compounds.
Police patrols arrived at the scene with ambulances, in case any of the demonstrators were injured during the protest. An embassy official, who emerged from the building, demanded the workers to nominate someone to speak on their behalf.
Kuwaiti authorities summoned the workers' employer, who promised to pay the salaries as soon as possible.
In June 2005, more than 500 workers stormed the Bangladeshi Embassy in protest of the non-payment of their salaries. The protesters also employed a local company, have been working without wages for several months.
The riots resulted in severely damaging the embassy premises. The protestors stormed the first floor, leaving it completely covered in glass and destroyed furniture.
"We saw the workers gathering quite early in the morning; we expected them to complain or tell us about the problem, but they did nothing of the sort. They just went crazy, breaking and smashing windows," said one source at the embassy. Rioters also managed to damage the third floor by throwing rocks at the windows overlooking the parking lot.
A press statement issued by the embassy confirmed the riots and stated that the workers arrived in 14 buses, and approximately 150 of them entered the building all at once. The embassy's security guards tried to stop them at the gate, but the workers managed to break the gate and marched towards the embassy doors. While some workers carried stones, others were armed with iron rods, sticks and cricket bats.
KUWAIT: Tens of Chinese workers gathered in front of their embassy in Yarmouk on Monday to protest the non-payment of their salaries by their employer for six consecutive months. The workers are affiliated to a local firm that engages in large projects in various areas in the country.
There were nearly 150 workers protesting. Embassy officials contacted security authorities as a precautionary measure to prevent workers from breaking into the embassy's compounds.
Police patrols arrived at the scene with ambulances, in case any of the demonstrators were injured during the protest. An embassy official, who emerged from the building, demanded the workers to nominate someone to speak on their behalf.
Kuwaiti authorities summoned the workers' employer, who promised to pay the salaries as soon as possible.
In June 2005, more than 500 workers stormed the Bangladeshi Embassy in protest of the non-payment of their salaries. The protesters also employed a local company, have been working without wages for several months.
The riots resulted in severely damaging the embassy premises. The protestors stormed the first floor, leaving it completely covered in glass and destroyed furniture.
"We saw the workers gathering quite early in the morning; we expected them to complain or tell us about the problem, but they did nothing of the sort. They just went crazy, breaking and smashing windows," said one source at the embassy. Rioters also managed to damage the third floor by throwing rocks at the windows overlooking the parking lot.
A press statement issued by the embassy confirmed the riots and stated that the workers arrived in 14 buses, and approximately 150 of them entered the building all at once. The embassy's security guards tried to stop them at the gate, but the workers managed to break the gate and marched towards the embassy doors. While some workers carried stones, others were armed with iron rods, sticks and cricket bats.
posted by Ben Rivard @ 4:28 PM
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