Latest News
- 8 More Mental Health Clinics To Be Open
- Fishermen's Makeshift Houses Ordered To Be Removed By Kuwait
- Kuwait Cracks Down On Bachelors
- Non-oil Exports Of Kuwait Reached 106 Million Dinars In January,...
- Kuwait Joins The Global Celebration Of World Press Freedom Day
- Kuwaitis In UAE Advised To Exercise Caution Amid Unstable Weathe...
- MEW Has No Plans For Power Cuts And Is Ready To Tackle The Summe...
- Allow Employees To Transfer If Their Monthly Dues Are Not Paid
- Appeal Court Upholds Death Ruling In Friend’s Kill
- Pakistani Expat Died In A Tragic Accident
- The Hourly Domestic Workers Service Is A New Scam
- Kuwait Will Experience Moderately Hot Weather Over The Weekend
Community Transmission Of Virus In Kuwait Hits Migrant Workers Hardest
Though the poor living conditions of migrant workers in Kuwait’s urban areas is well-known, no effective actions have been taken to improve their circumstances. Cramped and unhygienic living spaces have accelerated community transmission of COVID-19 amongst migrant communities, undermining efforts by the authorities to contain the spread.
Kuwait’s labour law requires employers to provide either accommodation or an allowance to cover accommodation expenses, but many companies sidestep this responsibility. This forces labourers to resort to the cheapest accommodations in already impoverished and saturated areas. Free visa (purchased visas holders free to work anywhere illegally) and irregular workers are also more likely to inhabit these areas.
Mujeebur Rahman, a Bangladeshi worker who lives in the Hasawiya area, told a local lawyer, “even though the accommodation was promised, all I get is KD 20 (USD 64) accommodation allowance. I’m forced to share my room with nine other people with only one bathroom.”
The number of contact cases has surged alongside the increasing incidence of infection amongst migrant workers. Out of 556 total confirmed cases in Kuwait, Indians nationals account for 225. The first death from the Indian community was reported on April 4. Around 900 people in the building in Kabd area, where the deceased lived, have been quarantined. According to sources, these workers are primarily lower-income labourers and food delivery workers.
The advice of local health authorities and the World Health Organisation is impossible for many migrant workers to implement; their accommodations are too crowded to maintain recommended physical distance, and they often lack enough soap, water, or hand sanitiser to clean their hands regularly. Living 12 to a room in a dilapidated building and neglected by their sponsors, they have lost their incomes and do not even have enough money to buy food.
The large number of migrant workers living in densely populated areas such as Jleeb, Mahboula, and Hasawiya increases the likelihood of community transmission. Unhygienic and crowded living conditions, which have been their reality for so long, make containment a serious challenge. However, discriminatory policies and xenophobic attitudes will not help combat the spread of the virus.
As Kuwaitis, we need to ask ourselves, “Do we need a pandemic to happen for us to open our eyes and see the miserable living conditions of migrant workers, and take action against the companies that contribute to their miseries?”
By Dalal Alostad
Published by arrangement with Migrant-Rights.org which is a GCC-based advocacy organization that aims to advance the rights of migrant workers. Through their online platform, on-ground projects, and grassroots initiatives, they work to document migrant narratives, ignite local discussion, and encourage change in attitudes and practices towards migrant workers.
Trending News
-
Expat Residency Law Amended By Kuwait Ministerial...
20 April 2024
-
Ministry Announces Separate Time For Amnesty Seeke...
21 April 2024
-
The Ministry Connects With Violators Of Residency...
23 April 2024
-
Two Expats Are Arrested For Stealing From Salmiya...
17 April 2024
-
Work Permits Will Be Issued For One Year Under The...
27 April 2024
-
AstraZeneca Admits Covid Vaccine Can Cause Rare Si...
29 April 2024
-
3 Expats Caught In Salmiya With 213 Bottles Of Loc...
23 April 2024
-
Temperature Increases Cause Electricity Load Index...
21 April 2024
-
Al-Nuer Festival Celebrates Kuwaiti Agriculture Wi...
22 April 2024
-
Peak-time 'cut-offs' Raise Fears Of An Electricity...
22 April 2024
Comments Post Comment