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Worker’s death sparks protest at labour camp

DUBAI — At least 200 workers of a contracting company refused to report for work for a while yesterday morning, alleging that one of their ailing colleagues died after the in-charge of the labour camp delayed taking him to a hospital.

Chamkar Singh, a 23 year old Indian national and an employee of the company died in Irani Hospital on Saturday. He had complained of a severe headache, some hours before eventually being shifted to hospital.

The public relations officer of the contracting company, however, claimed the camp supervisor had taken necessary precautionary action when Singh complained on Thursday that he was unwell. He was immediately taken to hospital — even though “our labour camp is located in a remote area of Jebel Ali.”

Meanwhile, most of the workers resumed work later in the day yesterday, following a firm assurance from the company management that necessary action would be initiated — including the repatriation of Singh’s body and action against the camp manager if he is found guilty of any negligence.

Also, according to one of the workers, “The company has picked up the medical bill and agreed to assist in repatriating Singh’s body to India at company expense.”

Singh had come to Dubai last November, along with a batch of 82 other labourers. The news of his tragic death has been conveyed to his family in India.

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