Labour camp incident: Indian workers on strike

Manama

Over fifty Indian workers went on strike after the terrible labour camp fight in which, 11 Indians and three Bangladeshis were seriously injured. The workers, however, did not stage a sit-in but simply refused to go to work.

The workers said they want to quit their work and go back to their homeland. They also complained about the overall affairs of the company. They alleged the company was very much careless about their state of affairs. 

No company official came forward enquiring about their situation or to offer assistance, the workers claimed. Their persistent complaints about low wages were also reportedly turned a deaf ear.

They also contacted the Indian Embassy yesterday and  Counsellor Ram Singh assured them their problem would soon be solved.

Speaking to the DT News, Ram Singh said the embassy was trying to solve the issue as soon as possible. He said he asked them to be patient so that they can make arrangements to transport anyone who really wanted to go back to India.

According to the reliable sources, a majority of the Indian workers are not happy with the way the company had treated them and are prepared to return to their country. 

On the other hand, a section of the workers have not joined the strike and are going to work as usual. They cannot afford to lose their job as they reportedly have too much of liabilities back in their homeland.

 “My sister’s marriage is going to take place soon. How can I lose my job in such a situation!” a labourer who did not take part in the strike told DT News.   

A Bangladeshi responded to the strike, “Let them go, if they want to. The Indians have a habit of getting drunk on weekends. They would often quarrel with us under the influence of alcohol,” he said.

“My brother Aminul was coming back from the mosque after prayers when they attacked him. But he narrowly escaped death,” he added. 

The fight broke out on Thursday following a petty issue of SIM cards. 

There are four buildings in the labour camp. There are about 400 Bangladeshis, 75 Indians, 50 Nepalese and 135 Pakistanis.