KUWAIT: A group of Filipino workers, employed as security guards, have filed complaints against their firm at the Filipino Embassy's labor office in Jabriya recently. The workers, comprising about 50 men and 10 women, lodged several complaints against their company citing ill-treatment and breach of contract. Their list of grouses include substitution of contracts, working (overtime) without pay, poor living conditions and unnecessary salary deductions. Filipino Labor Attach� Vivo Vidal had intervened previously, but the management of the company denies any wrong doing claiming that they have been acting in good faith. However, the workers disputed the management's claim and displayed the contract they had signed.

This is a copy of contract we were talking about. We were hired from the Philippines stating clearly that we would be paid KD 120 per month. We never got it; all we receive is KD 55 monthly. The management told us that they would pay KD 85. Since KD 30 is deducted from it every month, we get only KD 55 in hand," lamented Alfredo Borbon Jr, one of the complainants who spoke to Kuwait Times. "They said that deductions are being made against placement fees, tickets and our visas. These are unnecessary deductions and we don't know about it," he added.

The group also complained about their appalling living conditions. Borbon said that they(workers) were crammed into at an abandoned building that had no air-conditioning facilities or privacy. "We are 14 in this room, and about 40 in one flat. They 'dumped' us here like canned sardines. We don't have any household appliances. More than three people use bathrooms at the same time because they cut off our water supply at 7 am. Otherwise, we end up going to work without bathing," he said.

The management has earlier been present at the embassy; only to express their unwillingness to cooperate, placing blame on the local recruitment agency. The group said they would not be bogged down and would continue to fight for their rights. "We want them to pay us the amount stipulated in the contract signed in Manila. If they fail, all of us will just go home. They have to provide us with our air tickets plus our remunerations," the workers asserted.

Yesterday, the group formally submitted their complaints with the Kuwait's labor arbiter's office (Shuon). The Labor Attache Vidal has promised to provide assistance and assigned one of his attaches to attend to their case. "First, we already called the management to explain their side. It appeared as if like they are not willing resolve complaints amicably. So, we will wait for the action by the Shoun (Kuwait's labor arbiter). We cannot promise a speedy resolution of their case, but we will help our com patriots. Their complaints are valid and I see it with substance," he explained.

Vidal also added their case has already been filed at their labor headquarters in Manila in order to prevent more workers from being recruited by the same recruitment agency. "We informed the labor office about their problems. It seems that the local agency and a Filipino recruiter (based in Kuwait) are also answerable to the problems facing these workers," he said. Filipino security guards were recruited during different time periods that ranged between four months to two years. Some of them are stationed at remote, deserted areas in Kuwait. - Kuwait Times