09/09/2020 South Asian migrant workers seek justice as wage theft worsens under coronavirus - Reuters     Companies that violate the Wage Protection System face penalties including one month imprisonment, up to QAR 6,000($1,648) in fines, and a ban on issuing new work permits. Neither Oman nor the United Arab Emirates responded to requests for comment. The Saudi government said workers can log violations through its online dispute settlement platform or, if that fails, take their case to a labour court.    But it said foreign workers who have left the country must assign a Saudi citizen or resident to follow up on the case on their behalf.    Other Gulf countries also require departed workers to assign power of attorney to a local resident, something unions and labour rights lawyers say is expensive and leaves those unable to do so with no recourse to justice. ‘NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE’     Many labour rights campaigners see the current crisis as an opportunity to rework what they say is a system loaded against migrants.     “For years we have been fighting for work contracts to include a clause that gives default power of attorney to embassies to file complaints on the behalf of workers,” Kochery said. “Now is the time to set things right, use community welfare funds better and protect migrant workers who don’t know how to access grievance redressal mechanisms. Everyone needs to step up to the crisis because thousands of families depend on it.” That view is echoed by Isobel Archer, Gulf project officer of the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.   She said companies should take action to allow repatriated workers to file and follow up on claims of unpaid dues from abroad and access documents in their home languages. “Workers don’t have any leverage when the labour system itself is not fit for purpose,” she said, adding that companies should not need states to intervene to ensure their workers https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-migrants-wages-insight-trfn/south-asian-migrant-workers-seek-justice-as-wage-theft-worsens-under-cor… 4/12