KUWAIT CITY : Riot policemen wielding batons on Monday broke up a demonstration, in which they also used teargas, as the unrest of Bangladeshi cleaners Monday spread to other camps in Mabhoula and Jleeb Al-Shuoukh. The government said late in the evening an agreement had been reached with the workers to end the three-day strike over pay and conditions. At least 10 representatives of the workers were reportedly assaulted by their colleagues, some of the labourers told the Arab Times on condition of anonymity.  With the latest incidents, the total number of injured in the labour unrest stands at 15. The condition of the injured in the latest attack could not be ascertained.

Despite warnings from the Kuwaiti interior ministry in May that it will deport foreigners who instigate gatherings and strikes and will arrest and prosecute the participants, thousands of workers demonstrated for better pay and living conditions. This is the second unrest to hit Kuwait in as many days since the demonstrations over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions on Saturday. The Bangladeshi Embassy says Kuwaiti police used teargas to disperse thousands of Asian workers.  Shahriar Kader Siddiki, the embassy’s labor secretary, says most of the workers are paid around 20 dinars ($75) a month and live in poor conditions.  He confirmed tear gas was used at two locations Monday.

In Mabhoula, a total of six cleaners’ representatives were beaten up by a large number of workers as they were accused of colluding with their respective companies, thereby harming their interests, added the workers.
The workers also said that four representatives were assaulted at a camp in Jleeb Shyoukh and that many of the workers’ representatives had gone into hiding to avoid their colleagues’ wrath.
The representatives had reportedly gone to inform the workers that their demands had been accepted by the ministry of social affairs and labour and that they should call off their strike. “Some workers taunted them saying they had been bribed by the company to misguide them (workers) and this led to heated exchanges before a large number of cleaners turned their fury on them.”

At the center of the workers’ demands is: hike in salary from KD 18 to KD 40 without any deduction; companies should pay for the residency and insurance fees; weekly holiday, among others. The ministry has already agreed to these demands and is taking strict action against companies violating the rights of workers.
According to the cleaners, many of their colleagues are in no mood to relent and want the ministry officials to visit every single camp and give them in writing that all their demands will be fulfilled.
An embassy official, meanwhile, said that only workers of four companies are involved in the unrest and that cleaners of most companies had gone back to work after the ministry resolved their grievances on Sunday.
 “We fail to understand as to why the workers in Mahboula indulged in violent acts when the ministry had assured them that all their grievances would be addressed. The ministry and the company officials visited the camp on Sunday evening and had lengthy talks with the cleaners and that the workers had agreed to call off the strike and return to work on Monday,” he added.

 
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said a group of protesters allegedly ganged up on an Egyptian, who sustained serious injuries when the angry workers beat him and pushed him from the third floor of a building in the area.  He is said to be undergoing treatment at Adan Hospital.
Also, some demonstrators reportedly destroyed vehicles and other properties in the area while others were seen throwing stones at the windows of houses owned by Kuwaitis and expatriates.
After some time, sources said police and special forces asked the demonstrators to leave the area and try to solve the issue peacefully.  However, the disgruntled workers refused to heed the officers’ instructions, prompting securitymen to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.  A large number of protesters were arrested, including those who tried to run away, and private buses were used to transport them to the police station. 
Kuwaitis and expatriates, who witnessed the incident, criticized the workers for destroying properties in the area.  Several Egyptians claimed they have not returned home in the last two days since the protesters occupied the streets leading to their houses.

A worker said police has stepped patrolling in Jleeb Al-Shyoukh and workers roaming in groups were being questioned by police. He also added that a group of workers were rounded up by policemen for moving aimlessly in the area. However, this could not be confirmed.
The embassy official said Bangladeshi troublemakers will be prosecuted in accordance with the Kuwaiti laws, even as he called upon the workers to shun violence.
He added the ministry pulled out all the stops to put a speedy end to the grievances of the cleaners.
Lauding the efforts of the ministry in resolving the grievances of the cleaners, the official added: “I have no words to thank the ministry officials for their unstinted support to the embassy during this difficult time. The demands of some workers are frivolous. They want the ministry officials to visit each and every camp to inform workers that all their demands have been met. This is just not possible.”

He said the Bangladeshi government has been briefed on the latest developments and that the embassy was awaiting its response.
There are some 240,000 Bangladeshi in Kuwait, many of whom are employed with the cleaning companies and are living in abominable conditions in camps in various areas such as Farwaniya, Jleeb Shyoukh, Sabhan, Mahboula, Mangaf and Fahaheel.
On Sunday, thousands of workers in Jleeb Al-Shyoukh attacked their company’s office and assaulted five Bangladeshi supervisors who were reportedly ill-treating the workers. The supervisors were later admitted to the Farwaniya hospital. It was not clear whether they have been discharged or not.
Since the beginning of the strike, the ministry has taken some drastic measures, including the cancellation of contract of a company whose workers staged the first strike last Sunday.
In the last two strikes, the ministry officials visited the cleaners’ camps and urged the workers to call off strikes and they were shown a copy of the agreement signed by their respective companies indicating that their demands had been accepted.

The official also said that the embassy is sending its representatives to camps in various areas to calm down the workers and to urge them to go back to work. 
It may be recalled that the ministry on Sunday had announced that it had set a minimum wage of KD 40 for workers of all cleaning companies. In addition, the companies will now be required to pay for the health and insurance fees.
A worker told the Arab Times that the embassy had failed to address problems involving some companies and that it was understaffed to deal with complaints of thousands of workers.
 “I think the embassy is stretched thin. It does not have enough manpower in the labour department to deal with problems of thousands of workers. And to compound its problems, no ambassador has been appointed to Kuwait by Dhaka since the last three months.”

Dismissing the allegations, the official said the embassy was acting on the complaints of workers in a swift manner. “The embassy officials are in constant touch with the local authorities. We have almost dealt with all the problems facing our workers. I reiterate that only a few workers are creating problems.”
KUNA quoted Cabinet Minister Faisal al-Hajji as saying the workers had agreed to return to work after the government said it would ensure their rights and that anyone participating in riots would be deported.
A Bangladeshi worker in his 30s told Reuters TV they wanted a net salary of KD 50 ($188.3) a month without deductions for visa fees.
The government, in a statement issued after a meeting, pledged to ensure that “contracts made between companies and workers are honoured,” and that it will back the “just demands” of workers, according to KUNA state news agency.

However, the government warned that it “will not tolerate disturbances and chaos caused by any group of people,” adding that those who instigated trouble will be deported.
A string of strikes has sparked calls by Parliament deputies to improve conditions for expatriates, mainly Asians and Arabs, who make up two thirds of Kuwait’s 3.2 million population.
“And the revolution of the hungry has erupted,” al-Anba newspaper said on its front page.
Baqer said the government would ensure workers were paid their regular salaries.
“And if any injustice happened to them, then they should go to the relevant authorities, the ministry of social affairs and labour courts. I have no doubts that they will get their rights,” he told KUNA after a Cabinet meeting.

By Francis A. Clifford Cardozo
Arab Times Staff and Agencies