US Contractors in Kuwait Voice Safety and Pay Concerns Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Employees of major defense contractor V2X Inc stationed at US military bases in Kuwait have raised serious alarms over inadequate bunker facilities, significant pay reductions, and a troubling lack of communication regarding safety protocols during recent Iranian missile attacks across the Persian Gulf region. The situation has left many feeling abandoned and treated as expendable assets in a volatile conflict zone.
Inadequate Bunker Facilities and Evacuation Uncertainty
Following coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran on 28 February, which prompted a series of retaliatory Iranian attacks targeting US bases and civilian infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan, V2X workers report being left in the dark. One American employee, speaking anonymously due to fears of reprisal, stated, "The company has yet to put out anything so we don't know what's happening or what would happen to us if our base gets hit. We got zero instructions." This sentiment is echoed by others who describe a complete absence of guidance on evacuation procedures, leaving them uncertain about their fate in the event of a direct hit.
Contract workers are assigned separate bunker facilities from military personnel, with some shelters described as above-ground concrete tunnels with open ends, while others are enclosed structures lacking proper lighting, ventilation, and air supply. A second American worker noted, "We are all packed into the bunkers that are closest to wherever you work," highlighting the cramped and substandard conditions. Additionally, workers allege that US military personnel were evacuated from Kuwait in recent weeks, leaving contractors behind and raising questions about their prioritization in safety planning.
Pay Cuts and Communication Failures
Amid the escalating conflict, V2X employees have faced not only safety concerns but also financial hardships. Following base closures during the attacks, the company reduced paid hours for many workers from their typical 12-hour days with overtime to just eight hours per day. An Indian worker employed via a subcontractor revealed a base salary of $493 per month, with total pay usually around $819 based on 72-hour workweeks, now jeopardized by the cuts. The first American worker, earning approximately $20 per hour, criticized the company's focus, saying, "That's the only or the main thing that the company is worried about," after receiving a message about a new payroll code to reduce pay rather than safety updates.
The only official communication from V2X during the attacks was an alert email sent at 11:58 AM local time, urging workers to take cover and secure protective gear. However, employees report no follow-up on evacuation plans or ongoing support. The Guardian's requests for comment from V2X Inc went unanswered by press time, further underscoring the communication gap.
Traumatic Impact and Logistical Challenges
The situation has taken a severe emotional toll on workers and their families. The second American worker shared, "The overall lack of planning and communication has created an emotional strain for me. Every noise has us on edge," adding that the conflict has resurfaced traumatic memories from previous deployments to Iraq, leading to anxiety and sleep difficulties. Logistical issues compound the stress, with workers noting that Kuwait's tap water is undrinkable and bottled water supplies may only last two to three days, raising concerns about future access.
Under Kuwait's strict labor regulations, linked to the kafala sponsorship system, workers cannot leave without an exit permit from their employer, risking arrest for "absconding" if they depart unauthorized. This has trapped many in a perilous environment, with the first American worker lamenting, "We are stuck here and treated like we are expendable." The civilian contractor workforce has been scaled back in anticipation of conflict, with "non-essential" workers confined to accommodations without evacuation options.
Background and Regional Context
V2X Inc was formed in July 2022 through a $2.1 billion merger between Vectrus and the Vertex Company, holding a LOGCAP V contract to support US military operations in Kuwait with logistics and base services. The recent attacks have caused significant regional disruption, including missile strikes in Abu Dhabi that killed one person, hits on airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and explosions in residential areas like Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, while Kuwait's General Authority of Civil Aviation reported an Iranian drone strike at Kuwait International Airport causing minor injuries.
As tensions persist, V2X employees continue to voice their frustrations over safety neglect and financial cuts, calling for better protection and transparency from their employer and the US government. The first American worker summed up the dire situation: "They should've got us out of here a week ago."
