Ghanaians Stranded in Kuwait: A Story of Deception and Hardship
Don, a Ghanaian worker in Kuwait, has been stranded for two years along with nine others. He originally traveled to Kuwait in June after securing a contract as a car driver. He paid his processing fees and was promised a monthly salary of 150 Kuwaiti Dinars (KD), which he initially found acceptable. However, upon arrival, he realized the reality was far from what was promised.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show, Don shared his ordeal. He explained that many Ghanaians, facing economic hardships, opt to travel abroad in search of greener pastures. Agents in Ghana facilitate their migration by promising lucrative job offers, but upon arrival, workers discover hidden conditions that were not included in their contracts.
Don has been in Kuwait for a year and six months, yet his salary has not been paid as agreed. His experience worsened when his company failed to honor its commitments, and when he raised concerns, he was labeled as unserious. He previously worked in Qatar as a security officer, but when his brother tried to join him in Kuwait through the same company, Don warned him against it. Unfortunately, his brother still proceeded, only to be assigned as a motorbike rider instead of a car driver, despite having driving experience.
Many migrant workers in Kuwait face severe exploitation. Don recounts experiencing two accidents and being forced to stay home for months without pay. Employers withhold salaries as a form of control, and workers often have to send whatever little money they make back home. They are also made to perform additional maintenance tasks, which were not disclosed in their contracts.
Workers are required to pay large sums to break their contracts. According to Don, those who wish to leave before completing their three-year term must pay 870,000 KD, an impossible sum for most. The situation is dire, with some workers even failing medical tests but being forced to pay for their return tickets despite already taking loans to travel.
The Ghanaian embassy is aware of the situation, and efforts are underway to terminate their contracts legally. However, two months have passed since Don last received his salary. He and other affected workers have taken their case to court, seeking to recover their passports, which their employers have seized. Passport confiscation is illegal, as it is the property of the government, but companies continue to do it to prevent workers from escaping.
Don revealed that he previously worked as a security officer for the U.S. national team during the World Cup, but after the tournament, his contract was terminated. He planned to stay in Kuwait until his contract ended, but he now blames the Ghanaian agent, who he claims is exploiting workers. The agent, who has been in Kuwait for 12 years, continues to bring Ghanaians to suffer under harsh conditions.
Now, newly arriving workers are reportedly made to sign contracts lasting up to 65 years, structured in a way that prevents them from taking legal action. With little choice, workers are forced to stay and struggle. Many have resorted to legal action, gathering as a group to sue their employers.
Emmanuel’s Account
Another Ghanaian worker, Emmanuel, shared a similar story. He arrived in Kuwait two years ago in June and now finds himself among the 10 stranded workers. He initially secured a contract as a car driver and delivery worker, paying his processing fees with the promise of earning 150 KD per month (approximately 7,500 GHC). However, when he arrived, things were entirely different.
He was assigned to Rafik Delivery Company, where workers were promised earnings based on the number of deliveries completed. Initially, they were told they could earn 250 KD if they completed 150 orders. However, after a few months, the company introduced a fixed salary of 120 KD, regardless of the number of orders completed. Even those who completed up to 300 orders were still paid the same amount.
Workers were also forced to pay for vehicle maintenance and fuel from their earnings. When they complained, the company retaliated by falsely reporting them as runaways, making them targets for arrest. Eventually, they were evicted from their accommodation and left to fend for themselves.
Emmanuel revealed that Ghanaian agents in Kuwait play a major role in this exploitation. When he and his colleagues reported their situation, their agent, a Ghanaian named Kennedy, dismissed their concerns, saying his responsibility was only to bring them to Kuwait. He had already profited from the company and refused to intervene.
Passports were confiscated by employers, preventing workers from leaving. Even an Indian worker who completed his contract was denied his passport. Emmanuel also had his passport seized by the Ghanaian agent, who handed it over to the company, making it impossible for him to leave.
Despite being promised a fixed salary, Emmanuel later discovered he would only be paid based on completed orders. He was forced to spend his earnings on vehicle maintenance, leaving him with nothing. Additionally, 20 KD was deducted monthly for rent, and he was forced to share a small apartment with 12 others. They now live beside an Indian fast-food shop, waiting for a court ruling scheduled for the 20th of this month.
Due to strict employment restrictions, workers cannot seek alternative jobs using their civil ID. If they attempt to work elsewhere, their current employer can sue them. Many who have had accidents while working are left to cover medical bills themselves, as insurance does not protect them.
Emmanuel paid 25,000 GHC to the agent who facilitated his travel, even though the visa itself was free. Initially, he was told he would earn 230 KD for completing 150 orders, but after three months, the company changed the terms, fixing salaries at a lower rate. Most workers do not complete the three-year contract because of the harsh conditions, yet new workers are still being brought in.
Don and Emmanuel, along with other stranded workers, are now seeking intervention from the Ghanaian government. They urge authorities to stop Ghanaian agents from misleading people into taking these exploitative jobs. They emphasize that while construction and security jobs in Kuwait are manageable, delivery jobs come with extreme risks and unfair conditions.
Many Ghanaians in Kuwait face similar struggles, and while they hope for a resolution, they warn others back home to be cautious before accepting job offers abroad.
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