Debt and Dispute Push Bangladeshi Worker to Tragic End in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, Sep 3: A young Bangladeshi migrant tragically ended his life at his workplace in Mahboula, an event that has raised serious questions about labor practices. The worker, whose name has not been released, was found hanging by the staircase after allegedly taking his own life.

The incident is believed to be the culmination of a dispute between the worker and his employer. According to accounts from fellow workers, the man, who was on night duty, requested a change to a daytime shift due to a personal illness. In response, the company reportedly suspended his employment and also allegedly threatened to cancel his work visa and send him back to his country in few days.

The worker was from an impoverished background and had taken out a loan to travel to Kuwait for work. The loss of his job and the inability to repay his debt are believed to have caused severe emotional distress, leading to his tragic decision. The company has since released a statement suggesting the suicide may have been due to “personal issues,” a claim that has been met with skepticism by other employees.

These violations allegedly include:

Withholding Passports: Contrary to Kuwaiti labor law, which stipulates that an employee’s passport must remain in their possession, many companies confiscate them.

Denial of Weekly Holidays: Many workers are reportedly not given the weekly day off as mandated by law.

Lack of Rest Periods: The required one-hour rest period after five hours of work is allegedly not being observed.

“There are thousands of people who are being abused like this,” said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal. “No one talks about these things in Kuwait. There is no one to speak for us.” The incident underscores the vulnerability of expatriate workers and highlights the urgent need for greater oversight and enforcement of labor protections in the country.