In a recent incident, Bahraini authorities arrested a 21-year-old Indian worker who damaged three vehicles owned by the construction company that employed him. In a widely circulated video, the worker is heard saying that the company, Downtown Construction, hasn’t paid his wages for 10 months. 

After using a metal rod to break the windows and lights of Downtown Construction’s vehicles in a protest against unpaid wages, the distressed worker can be heard saying, “I have not received my salary and that is why I am doing this. Even if you terminated me at least give me my salary and send me home.” While bystanders tried to calm him down, he said he didn’t care if the police or other officials were called, and that he was acting out because of what he had been put through.

After the incident, the worker was arrested and taken in for questioning by the Public Prosecution Office, where he was charged with "intentional damage."...

Last year, the company was awarded contracts worth close to BD 6 million (US$ 15,920,610) by the Ministry of Works...

A Bahrain-based migrant rights activist, who preferred to remain anonymous, told MR that the company has a history of wage theft and labour exploitation cases...

The worker's desperate actions evidence the difficulty in accessing redress and justice in Bahrain. In cases of wage theft, migrant workers often experience prolonged periods of uncertainty without finding a resolution, which drives some to desperate measures. These actions, however, often result in their arrest and subsequent deportation by Bahraini authorities...