'Employers' abuses forced workers to resort to strike'

---

The Kuwaiti government has acknowledged that abuses by some employers forced the Asian workers to resort to strike, The Friday Times, weekend publication of the Kuwait times, reported quoting the state news agency KUNA.

"The most notable violations were delayed payments to workers, lack of suitable housing and salary deductions," KUNA quoted Kuwaiti Justice Minister Hussein Al-Huraiti as saying. "Illegitimate practices by these firms and shortcomings in law enforcement by the relevant bodies have led to grave violations of workers' rights," said Huraiti, who also heads a human rights commission.

The Kuwaiti government reached an agreement with the workers last Monday to end a three-day strike which turned violent when some workers overturned cars and ransacked offices before being dispersed by police.

The strike in the oil exporting Gulf Arab state came against a backdrop of soaring inflation, which exceeded 11 percent in April and May.

"It is imperative that this problem be handled with resolve to find an appropriate solution and hold accountable anyone who defames the state of Kuwait (by)...violating human rights," Huraiti said.

Kuwait until Friday deported 287 Bangladeshi workers for their alleged participation in violent activities in that country. Incoming expatriates, who could not bring with them no cash money or their personal belongings, have claimed that more Bangladeshis are in the process of deportation.

Meanwhile, an opinion survey being carried out by the Kuwait Times until Saturday showed that 68 per cent of the respondents favoured setting and enforcement of a fair minimum wage, 26 per cent wanted clamp down on unscrupulous contractors and 5.0 per cent supported deportation of striking labourers.