About thirty workers in Al Amara are on a hunger strike since 12th of June demanding Iraqi government to intervene to settle their wage dispute.

As soon as we get our money we will leave Iraq to Sri Lanka   Workers in Iraq

The workers said that they were not paid for several months.

“Our aim is to get the help of Iraqi government to resolve our salary problem. As soon as we get our money we will leave Iraq to Sri Lanka” a worker who is on hunger strike told BBC Sandeshaya.

Sri Lankan workers claimed that they have informed the authorities in Sri Lanka and Iraq about their predicament, but had no success.

No favourable response

“We started the hunger strike because we did not receive a favourable response from Iraq and Sri lankan authorities.” a worker said.

If workers are ready to drop the claim for the salaries, we can help them to come back to Sri Lank   SL Foreign Employment Bureau

Despite the claim that an envoy from Sri Lankan embassy in Lebanon intervened to resolve the dispute Sri Lankan worker asserted that none of the officials visited Iraq.

“If workers are ready to drop the claim for the salaries, we can help them to come back to Sri Lanka” Head of the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) Kingsley Ranawaka told BBC Sandeshaya.

“We do not have any officers in Iraq and we have informed the ministry of foreign affaires to send an officer to meet them," said Ranawaka.

An earlier fast unto death was suspended when the officials of the Iraq government pledged to resolve the issue.