India takes up issue of non-payment of salary to Indian workers in Bahrain, one dead in protests: External Affairs Ministry

India has taken notice of the issue of non-payment of salary to Indian workers in Bahrain, the External Affairs Ministry said on Monday.

“M/s G. P. Zachariadis Overseas Ltd., a construction company which employs nearly 1,500 Indian workers has been faced with severe financial hardship. This has resulted in non-payment of salary/dues to workers employed by the company.

On 3rd January 2017, nearly 350 workers at a site went on strike due to non-payment of salary for nearly two months.

“After intervention of the Mission in association with the Labour Ministry, the company paid the pending salaries on 4th January, 2017,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The matter has been taken up with Ministry of Labour, which had called the company management for a joint meeting the same day.

When the company again failed to pay the next salary for January nearly 200 workers of the company started a protest on 15^th January, due to non-payment.

During the protests, one of the workers Narayanan Pitchai, an Indian national, fainted and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

The Spokesperson later clarified that police authorities have confirmed to the Embassy that since it was a peaceful protest, no police action was taken against them.

“The Embassy has taken up the matter at a high level. Bahraini authorities have expressed regret over the incident and have assured that safety and well-being of all workers, including Indian nationals, remains their first priority. They have also conveyed that they would do their best on this matter,” Swarup said.

With PTI Inputs