Jordan: 69 Indian workers allege co. Aseel Universal Garments is refusing to settle their dues & is 'illegally retaining them', amid other rights violations
Riepilogo
Date Reported: 23 Dic 2023
Location: Giordania
Companies
Aseel Universal Garments - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - India , Clothing & textile , Men , Undocumented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - India , Clothing & textile , Women , Undocumented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Sri Lanka , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Nepal - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Failing to renew visas , Wage Theft , Restricted mobility , Recruitment Fees , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Access to Water , Access to electricity , Right to Food , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Violence , Freedom of Expression , Access to Information , DismissalResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: According to the employees, the Indian embassy promised to meet them and discuss their problems but didn’t follow through. Sources from the government however, denied these allegations and told TNM that the embassy has been in touch with the Indians to provide assistance. Seven Indian workers pressed charges against Aseel Universal Garments manufacturing company and a labour court in Jordan ruled in their favour on November 23. The court noted that representatives of the company didn’t come to court despite having been notified. The court directed the manufacturing company to settle all dues to the employees, pay the fine amounts for illegally retaining them without extending their permits. The court also held that the employees should be sent back to India. Despite the court’s ruling, the company has not initiated corrective action.
Source type: News outlet
"69 Indian nationals allege garment company has illegally retained them in Jordan"
Sixty nine Indian nationals are unable to return from Jordan after Aseel Universal Garments manufacturing company that employed them, is allegedly refusing to settle their dues and send them back to India. Many of the employees’ company sponsored visas expired in 2022 along with their contracts and work permits. But, their demands to be sent back with the amounts due to them has not been met by the company even after a labour court in Jordan ruled in their favour. The Indian nationals say they have been denied food and water at their accommodation and that the Indian Embassy in Jordan is reportedly unresponsive to their cries for help…
The validity of visas have expired for most of the Indian nationals who work with the manufacturing company. “Without our visa permits, we cannot even step outside the factory premises to buy basic amenities because if caught by police, we will be charged with a ticket and fined,” Pavendhan explained…
Citing employees’ unrest, the company shut operations in December 2023. Reports also suggest that the company has declared bankruptcy. Since then the accommodation and food services provided by the company have also dropped to substandard levels, said employees…
[The Resource Centre was not able to contact Aseel Universal Garments to invite a response to the allegations; if a response is received in future this page will be updated accordingly.]