Unpaid workers wait for justice
by mahmood on 10/05/06 at 6:32 am · email · print
A group of Asian workers living on handouts for over 18 months will have to wait another month until a case they filed against their employer is resolved.
The 27 men from India, Pakistan and Nepal who worked as drivers, painters, machinery operators and electricians filed the case nine months ago for unpaid salaries, leave salaries and indemnity.
However, a criminal court has set the date for the final defence hearing for June 17 and the verdict is expected to be issued by the end of next month.
The workers were allegedly abandoned by their bosses at Al Khaja Establishment, and are now living at the company’s dilapidated labour camp, in West Eker, near Sitra.
Al Khaja Establishment chairman Jassim Al Khaja previously accused the men of being “runaway workers” after they resigned in protest at allegedly unpaid wages.
As well as surviving on charity handouts collected by the Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS), the workers are forced to endure dire living conditions at the site which include a leaking roof and open sewer.
“The lawyer told us the case would be over this month, but now we have been told that the case is next month what are we going to do,” said Lionel Peters, who worked as an electrician for the company for five years.
Mr Peters is asking for eight years indemnity, leave salary for three and half years and unpaid salary for two months before his resignation.
He also wants the company to provide him with compensation salary for the months since July last year when he was stuck in Bahrain and unable to work elsewhere.
Other workers demands are reportedly similar, although the number of months’ salaries and years’ indemnity varies.
Mr Peters, 50, said he has not seen his family in Bangalore, India, for four years.
Mr Peter’s wife Jennifer is reportedly recovering from a serious operation to remove her uterus – which he was reportedly unable to pay for – and lives with their three children Cecilia, 22, David, 18, and Andrew, 11 in Bangalore.
“I have a sickly mother and I lost my father one year after I worked for Al Khaja, without even seeing his body being buried.
“I will not forgive myself if the same thing happened to my mother. I just want to go back home.”
The workers need to be patient as their case works its way through the courts system, said their lawyer Ahmed Al Qaheri.
Yesterday’s court hearing went in favour of the workers, he said.
“It was a good day in my opinion because the company’s defence lawyers should have brought their witnesses but they didn’t bring them,” he said.
Mr Al Qaheri said that this meant they had no proof to present to the judge against the workers’ claims.
“It means whatever we ask they should judge in favour of us.”
He expressed sympathy for the workers long wait, but said that one of the problems they faced was unfamiliarity with court proceeding.
“Sometimes I know they think there is no logic in this (proceeding) – they have never said this but I can see them (thinking it), and I don’t blame them.”
In spite of the longwinded procedure, the court is where the workers can get their full demands, added Mr Al Qaheri.
If the workers want to close the case now they will have to give in to their employers demands – which means they will be paid much less than what they are asking for, he said.
Mr Al Qaheri said the court would most likely issue a final verdict on the cause by the end of July.
Meanwhile, the MWPS is continuing to provide the workers with financial help.
People wishing to help can contact Marietta Dias on 39452470 or Florine Mathias on 39134027.
GDN :: Kenwal Tariq Hameed :: 10 May ’06
