Deported

12 Sri Lankans sent home for resorting to TU action following the fire that destroyed their quarters:

by Naalir Jamaldeen

Pic courtesy: QatarLiving.com

Tselve Sri Lankan migrant workers, employed at a janitorial service company in Qatar were deported on allegations of resorting to trade union action, contrary to the rules and regulations of the company and Qatari Labour Laws. Last week they returned to the country. Councilor Labour and Welfare of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Qatar, A.K.U. Rohana told the Sunday Observer. The case was now over as the workers were sent back to Sri Lanka.

The 12 workers were arrested by the Qatari authorities on charges of engaging in trade union action after the fire at the labour quarters in Al- Sailiya in Qatar and were blacklisted, he said. The SLBFE said the Government of Qatar had taken steps to deport the 12 Sri Lankans.

The Company had notified employees that if they wished to be repatriated, arrangements will be made to do so, but that they should report to work until repatriation. Even after being strictly informed that they should report to work, they refrained from doing so. Under Qatari Labour Laws, they were deemed as resorting to strike action against the company, Rohana said.

Even though their objective was to return to Sri Lanka, they should have reported to work without remaining in the temporary shelters they were provided with until they received official approval for repatriation. Then they could have returned to the country without any problem. Breaching these laws they continued to stay away from work without reasonable grounds, Rohana said.

The fire at the labour camp in Al Sailiya on May 8 left approximately 300 Sri Lankans, all employed at the janitorial service company in Qatar, homeless. They were provided with temporary lodgings after the fire. Expatriates who did not report to work under these circumstances have been arrested by the Qatar authorities.

At a time when the company was preparing to repatriate these workers such and act has damaged the long-lasting bilateral ties between the two countries, he said.

Only diplomatic officers are permitted to leave the country without exit permits. all others must get exit approval from the relevant authorities before leaving the country.

At most it would take two or three weeks to get an exit permit. First priority will be given to lack of accommodation facilities. The displaced workers were given reasonable accommodation. The second was employment and the third was repatriation. These employees considered repatriation as the first and foremost priority. It was this issue that led them to stay away from work, he said.

When asked about compensation for workers who lost their valuables owing to fire, Rohana said he can't tell the exact day of payment. On behalf of affected Sri Lankan workers the Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar has sent official request to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qatar and the company.

Once the investigations are over arrangements will be made to pay compensation to affected workers, he said, but pointed out it would take some more time to get the compensation. There is a process in settling the compensation. Police and other investigation reports are compulsory to pay compensation. Final report of fire has not been issued by the police yet, he said.

Meanwhile, the company has asked all the workers including Sri Lankans, Nepalis and Bangladeshis to submit details of losses due to the fire. Most probably after the investigation they will be paid compensation, Rohana said.

Passports

Three hundred and two Sri Lankans and 200 Nepali workers were staying in the labour quarters in Sailiya belonging to the Company, he said.

Rohana said so far no complaint of loss of passport had been received by the Embassy. Passports are normally kept by the employer and returned after the completion of services.

"Their passports are safe with the employer and will be handed over to them when they are repatriated", he said.

"Already I have informed to the Foreign Ministry and the SLBFE that 12 Sri Lankan workers refrain from reporting to work after the fire incident. he said.

"It is also alleged that these workers had discouraged others from reporting for work. I visited the place and inquired about the situation", Rohana said.

"Qatar is an important job market for Sri Lankans, specially for youth. We should not lose job opportunities available for Sri Lankans here. If Sri Lankan workers involve in trade union action it would spread all over the country and sponsors would not employ Sri Lankans if we lose the goodwill. We did not lodge any complaint with the police but the company complained", he said.

"We informed the company to arrange alternative accommodation to the affected and they provided accommodation within 24 hours with all facilities. The workers were content with the new accommodation", he said.The Sri Lankan expatriate community also assisted the victims and provided them with immediate assistance. The Swiss Embassy and Indians also extended their support.

Some of them uploaded the incident on internet, facebook and other social media, Rohana said.

With the FIFA football World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2022, there is ample job opportunity there for Sri Lankans. Rohana was quick to point out that Qatari authorities were keen to recruit Sri Lankans but this incident might jeorpadise that opportunity. At present more than 400 Sri Lankans are employed in this Company and there were three labour quarters belonging to this Company in various parts of Qatar, he said.