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Kuwait deports Bangladesh workers for unrest

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-07 14:18

DHAKA  -- Kuwait has so far deported 739 Bangladesh workers for their alleged involvement in instigating unrest in the Gulf state, leading English daily The Independent reported Thursday.

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The deportees have been charged on participating in and instigating strikes, damaging vehicles and attacking law enforcers while demanding salary increase in Kuwait.

Workers from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries in Kuwait staged demonstrations recently for four days demanding pay increases and better working conditions.

Kuwait police arrested at least 800 Bangladeshi workers.

Foreign adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury of the Bangladesh caretaker government has requested the Kuwaiti government to carry out an investigation into the recent labour unrest reportedly led by Bangladeshi workers.

Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti government has decided to pay off all arrears of salary, allowance, service benefits and insurance claims to the deported Bangladeshi workers through the Bangladesh Embassy over there, reports said Thursday.

Kuwait is one of the main destination countries of Bangladesh's manpower export. Since 1976, nearly half a million Bangladeshi workers have gone to Kuwait, according to government statistics.