Bader Al-Duwailah said in remarks published in local media yesterday that the companies will be prevented from receiving government contracts. He refused to name the companies, which he said were still under investigation. The minister said more companies could be blacklisted.
The measures were the toughest yet since thousands of laborers from Bangladesh demonstrated last month to demand pay increases and better living conditions. Some of the protests turned violent and hundreds of laborers who took part in them were deported. Al-Duwailah was quoted as saying that the ministry will “not hesitate” to punish companies that delay payment of salaries or fail to provide workers with suitable housing.
He made the comments at a news conference Wednesday, the newspapers said.
Officials at the Labor Ministry could not be reached yesterday to confirm his remarks.
After July’s protests, the government set a minimum wage of 40 dinars, or $ 150, a month for workers contracted by private companies to clean its offices, schools and hospitals.
Most had been making only half in a country where inflation has reached 11 percent and citizens pampered with a generous welfare system are demanding the government increase food subsidies.
Like other Gulf nations, Kuwait depends on the migrant workers who dominate its private sector. Complaints about the lack of payment and physical abuse are common among unskilled laborers and domestic helpers who come from poor Asian countries.
Shahriar Kader Siddiki, labor secretary at the Bangladeshi Embassy, welcomed the clampdown, which he said would force “other companies to make better arrangements for their workers.” However, he was worried about what will happen to laborers if these firms are closed down.
