A number of expatriate gas station workers went on strike complaining of unpaid salaries for up to 4 months, especially during the months of the curfew initiated as a measure against the coronavirus, Al Rai daily reported. The situation was resolved with some workers transferred after their salaries were paid, and the Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation (KNPC) apologizing to customers for the suspension of work at its petrol stations.
The strike began in the southern stations in the areas of Fahaheel, Raqqa, Al-Ahmadi, Al-Wafra and Sabah Al-Ahmad.
Sources revealed that the strike affected most of the company’s stations, leading to congestion and queues of cars throughout the day, which sparked discontent and unhappiness among citizens and expats.
The company’s management was urged not to be complacent with their contractors that delay workers’ salaries.
The daily reported, citing sources that discussions occurred between the management of the National Petroleum Corporation and the contractor to resolve the crisis. A number of workers were being transferred after their salaries were settled to operate stations elsewhere. In the event there is a recurrence of the crisis, an alternative plan will be put into place to use other contractors to supply employees for the gas stations.
Six hours after the strike, the company announced on its Twitter account about the problem, apologizing to its customers, saying: “National Petroleum apologizes to its customers for stopping work in a number of its gas stations, due to the delay of the contracting company responsible for the workers of these stations in paying their salaries. Confirming that it is working to take the necessary measures to resume work, and to guarantee the rights of its workers.”
In addition, citizens circulated on social media video clips about the problem of crowding inside the stations where the strike occurred, considering the event a show of injustice against workers, which they considered unacceptable, calling upon the relevant authorities to end the case and uphold workers rights.
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