Bangladeshis languish in Kuwait camps

Several thousands of the Bangladeshi migrant workers who were stranded in many labour camps in Kuwait for deportation under a general amnesty have been passing days in miserable conditions since April 11.

The stranded Bangladeshi migrants complained that they were being provided insufficient food and drinking water.

When they requested for additional food, the Kuwaiti police in Manggab labour camp locked some migrant workers in a room for few hours and physically assaulted them.

Kuwaiti police scolded the migrants saying that the Kuwait government was trying to send them back to Bangladesh but the Bangladesh government was not allowing the repatriation, the migrants told New Age over phone. 

Most of the 6,000 Bangladeshi migrants who got amnesty have been kept stranded in the temporary labour camps in Manggab, Chebdi and Abdali areas in Kuwait city.

The workers said that Bangladesh embassy officials have not yet communicated with the stranded workers with humanitarian supports.

Stranded worker Raihan Shekh, of Manggab Madrassah camp, told New Age that the severe shortage of food and unhealthy living condition with only two toilets for them turned many of compatriots sick in the camps.

On April 1, the Kuwait government had declared general amnesty for foreigners living illegally including Bangladeshis.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment ministry secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen told New Age that the government had already decided to repatriate the Bangladeshis who were stranded in Kuwait.

He requested the foreign ministry officials to take prompt actions for the migrants living with inadequate foods through Bangladesh embassy in Kuwait.

Kuwait has been recruiting Bangladeshi workers since 1976 and about 3.50 lakh Bangladeshis are currently working in Kuwait, according to Bureau of Manpower and Training.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net