On a scorching summer day in Kuwait, with temperatures surpassing 110 degrees, four Indian migrant workers found themselves homeless after being evicted due to building code violations following a deadly fire that took the lives of 49 migrant workers in their neighborhood. Suresh Kumar, along with his roommates, had shared a small 172-square-foot room on the ground floor of an apartment building, which was being demolished as inhabiting the ground floor was prohibited.
Despite Kuwait’s immense wealth from oil revenues, migrant workers like Mr. Kumar struggle with inadequate housing and low wages, with little power to seek help. Working as subcontracted construction workers for Kuwait’s state oil firm and refining company, they could only afford $325 in rent for a room, forcing them to find another shared space without any guarantee of safety or comfort.
While the fatal fire prompted a crackdown on building code violations for migrant worker housing, activists argue that the structural issues facing these workers in Kuwait and other Gulf countries remain unaddressed. The kafala system, which ties workers to their employers, exacerbates the power imbalances faced by migrants who come to the Gulf seeking better pay.
The tragedy in June shed light on the precarious living conditions faced by migrant workers, with many lacking proper accommodations and being forced to find their own housing. The high number of foreign residents in Kuwait, performing essential jobs in various sectors, highlights the exploitation and disposability of these workers within the Gulf’s economic model.
The fire, caused by an electrical short circuit, claimed the lives of 49 workers and injured over 50 others, leading to calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations. Despite regulations specifying housing standards for workers, many still live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, with profits being prioritized over their well-being.
The system of subcontracting and outsourcing in the Gulf allows for the exploitation of migrant workers by middlemen and private contractors, shifting responsibility and risk onto them. The tragic incident in Kuwait has brought attention to the need for reforms in the treatment of migrant workers, who continue to face hardships and dangers in pursuit of better opportunities in the Gulf.