Unpaid wages have emerged as the biggest concern among expatriate workers since the US-Iran conflict began in February, with the country’s oldest organisation dedicated to migrant rights working tirelessly to resolve these cases.
Wage non-payment and the financial strain it placed on workers and families accounted for 80 per cent of cases seen by the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) in the second quarter of this year.
“This quarter challenged us in ways we could not have anticipated,” MWPS chairperson Mona Almoayyed explained in the organisation’s quarterly newsletter Migrant Voice.
“Ever since the West Asia conflict began in February, our team has been present on the ground, extending assistance to everyone who reached out.
“Workers sought help with rent and living expenses, clearing immigration penalties, travel costs for repatriation, and legal assistance in cases where employers refused job changes or visa cancellations.
“Inspections were temporarily halted for about two months following the conflict, adding to the uncertainty felt by many. Despite these challenges, we resolved 36 of the 42 cases brought to us this quarter.”
A total of 18 cases were highlighted in the newsletter, which covered issues faced by expatriates from April to June this year.
Among the highlighted cases was that of an Indian national, who was physically assaulted by his sponsor when he refused to sign a letter agreeing to receive only half his due salary.
He was earning BD210 and was being paid less than BD100 after deductions of SIO contributions.
He approached MWPS for support after the employer terminated his employment contract and did not pay his dues. MWPS helped him file a case in the Labour Court to claim his dues and compensation for unjustified termination. The worker has returned to India as he was unable to find another job in Bahrain but the case is ongoing. After the case is settled, the lawyer who holds power of attorney will transfer the amount to the worker’s bank account in India.
In another case, a Cameroonian national was working in a gym in Bahrain. When the gym manager asked him to carry out illegal activities, he refused to do so and the company terminated his services, allegedly lodging a false police complaint against him for theft, according to MWPS.
The second-quarter report of the Migrant Voice
The police did not pursue the case for lack of evidence.
The gym was trying to force him to return to his country as early as possible and was withholding his passport after collecting money from him to buy him a ticket.
MWPS helped him recover his passport and the ticket money back from the employer.
The lawyer also filed a labour case for his statutory dues, which is ongoing.
Meanwhile, an Indian national, who had worked in Bahrain for the past four years, had not received his salary for the last six months.
During this period, his daughter back home in India attempted suicide and was admitted to the ICU for five days, continuing to exhibit suicidal tendencies.
The family was distressed, and the father wanted to return urgently to be with her.
MWPS was able to arrange a flight ticket for his return to India on May 12.
Medical expenses were a key concern in at least five of the cases highlighted by the MWPS, as financial anxiety led to workers ignoring health concerns until they became serious.
An Indian national fainted because of severe complications from diabetes and was rushed to Salmaniya Medical Complex by ambulance. He had been unemployed for nine months.
A Cameroonian national had severe kidney complications, liver enlargement, and multiple large pelvic masses. The Cameroonian community helped with her hospital expenses and immigration-related fines, until she was safely repatriated.
A Pakistani national on a visit visa had epilepsy and was admitted to hospital. He did not have enough money for hospital expenses or travel and MWPS arranged for his repatriation.
Meanwhile, an Indian domestic worker lost her job and the agent who brought her to Bahrain left the country without returning her passport.
She became homeless and undocumented, developed health issues and was unable to support her family back home.
MWPS provided temporary rent assistance and dry-ration packages, also covering the cost of her outpass, immigration penalty, and return air ticket.
As the society continues its work, it has appealed for community support, through donations of dry ration, hygiene products and bedding. Volunteers are also welcome to help with distributions and documentation.
- Email info@mwpsbahrain.org or visit the office in Adliya to support the organisation.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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