January 14, 2003
Haifa Construction Workers Strike Work, Black Cat Enter to Prevent Demonstration.
KM Bureau
Hundreds of construction workers in Oman took to the streets in protest against non payment of salary by a company for six months. More than three hundred workers of Haifa Construction, a leading construction firm here, have been stopped by the law enforcement authorities from striking work and staging protest marches through the streets in the industrial area of Ghala. More than 100 black cats from the law enforcement authorities cardoned off the area and confined the workers to a particular place.
"Workers of Haifa Construction have been agitated over non payment of salary for several months and lack of basic facilities. They have been complaining to the Indian Embassy and the labour offices for no use," said sources. "More than 350 workers were protesting against non payment of salary for six months. There are several construction companies which have defaulted in workers payment," added sources. Most of the employees are from North India and there are some Malayalis too.
The company is apparently facing some financial difficulty following a dispute among the top brass. A new General Manager has taken over and refused to obey workers pending payment. "Workers have complained about non payment of salary," said Indian Embassy, Muscat sources also. There are several cases including Elco workers who had struck work earlier. Conducting strikes and demonstrations is not allowed in the Gulf countries where trade unionism is non existing. Workers have a difficulty in expressing their griavences and the last resort was to strike work. Two garment factories in Barka, Excellent Factory and Universal have been facing similar situation
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- Posted Feb 5, 2002
Indian Embassy helpless?
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More than 200 employees of ELCO in Oman face bleak future.
Malayali commits suicide in Muscat due to labour problem
Kerala Monitor Special Report:
Muscat— An young worker apparently committed suicide in a labour camp at Ghala, because of the continued harassment of his employers. The tragic death of Dileep (27), from Thalacherry District, Kerala, is a mute reminder of the desperation with which more than four hundred employees of a manpower supplying contracting company –Stag Enterprises—have been struggling to get their overdue payment and go back to India decently. ..More
Visa Racket Still Active, 35 Indians duped by Recruitment Agent
Even when the amnesty scheme has been going on and the controversy surrounding the suicide of an expatriate worker here, the negative role played by Indian recruitment agents is under the scrutiny of the Indian Embassy and the local authorities. Recently the embassy has summoned another recruiting agent from Oman, Ms Abu Khalfan al Kindi Trading Establishment, which has allegedly duped more than 30 people with the help of other Indian travel agents. More
