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Subject: Urgent Request for Assistance Regarding Workers Arrested in Recent Co-op Societies Raid
Respected Honorable Ambassador of India in Kuwait& Ambassador of Bangladesh in Kuwait,
I am writing to urgently bring to your attention the serious matter concerning the recent raid conducted in the Co-operative Societies in Kuwait, as reported by the leading English daily Arab Times. Many innocent workers were arrested during this operation, and their current location and condition remain unknown,causing severe distress to their families.
I would like to highlight the case of Mr. Velmurugan (PP No: S3691863), S/O Natarajan, an Indian citizen from Tamil Nadu, who has been detained. He has served 25 years with Al Abraq Trading Company (Contact: 965-22419666 /22419777). Nearly 95% of the manpower supplied by this company consists of workers from Bangladesh.
Information known to us:
Mr. Alam,Assistant Manager in Private Projects at Al Abraq Trading Co., has reportedly been collecting money from supermarket supervisors (2–3 KD daily) in branches where the company holds bagger contracts.These daily collections are taken from the baggers in Al Nuzha, Al Khaldiya, Dhahiat Abdulla Al-Salem, and Mansouriya Co-op Societies, and submitted to the company.
Despite these allegations, he has not been investigated, while innocent workers have been placed in custody.
The company’s Private Project Manager,Mr. Thagir, was called by the raid officials, and he went to meet them. He reportedly produced salary records claiming that the workers received their monthly payments.
It is now known that Mr. Thagir has also been taken into custody, despite his role being limited to submitting documents requested by the authorities.
Additionally, on 29th November, I personally visited Al Nuzha Supermarket to gather accurate information directly from the workers and the Co-op Society administrative staff.
Many workers allege that Mr. Alam collects back their salaries every month through the supervisors and then submits the money to the company.
This appears to be part of a larger contract arrangement in which manpower companies supply labour to co-op societies, while supervisors are instructed to collect money from the baggers to maintain these contracts.
Mr. Velmurugan, who has served as a supervisor at Al Nuzha Supermarket for ten years, was arrested during the raid, even though he was following company instructions.
My humble request to both embassies:
Please intervene immediately with the Manpower Authority (Shoon) and request a full and fair investigation.
Examine the contract agreements between manpower companies and co-op societies, particularly the flow of wage payments.
Ensure accountability if co-op societies have paid wages to the company and those wages were not delivered to the workers.
Investigate the serious allegations of salary recovery and illegal deductions by company officials without proper documentation.
Inspect the living conditions of manpower company accommodations, which are reported to be extremely poor and unsafe.
These workers came to Kuwait solely to support their families. Unfortunately, many manpower companies are engaged in practices that exploit vulnerable workers. Their current situation is critical, and without immediate intervention, they may suffer grave injustice.
Finally, I wish to emphasize that none of these workers or supervisors have committed any wrongdoing. It is heartbreaking to see them in police custody. As the Holy Quran teaches, the innocent should never be punished, and workers’ wages - the sweat of their labour- must never be stolen.
Please stand against these illegal practices, rescue the workers, and ensure justice for their families.
Regards,
Sakthivel Rajan Mookkaiya Thevar
965-99204535