Oula just sent us this email in response to the previous post:
Dear All;
This incident was just brought to our attention by this blog. We are very grateful for this effort from your side to point out any deficiency on our side as we always aim to be the best employer we could be. we are currently investigating the issue and whoever denied him treatment in the first place will not be ignored and will be accountable for this violation. We at Oula Fuel are very clear with our contractors that we require the most fair treatment for the employees and that is why we pay even more than the market price to the contractor just to make sure that these employees are treated as best as possible. As long as we require the employees to be on their best while serving our customers, then it’s only fair to treat them well in the first place.We here at Oula Fuel extend our best regards and wishes to everyone who provided us with a chance to correct a violation and whoever would point out misunderstandings that might go un-noticed without the collective effort from all concerned citizens who aim to make Kuwait the best country ever.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us on 1800111 or [email protected].
Regards,
Mohammad Al-Khareji
Sales Supervisor
Marketing & Sales & PR Dept.
Oula FuelTel: (965) 2 2321 709
Fax: (965) 2 2321 333
Hotline: 1 800 111
m.alkhareji @oula1.com
www.oula1.com
54 replies on “Oula Responds”
@desertsky
I think someone owes an apology on the derogatory comments made about Kuwait/Kuwaities.
@Mark
why does the url http://www.alshaya.com keep appearing
everytime I Load your blog? 🙂
Mashallah – impressive response. I wish more companies were as fast in their response time – and as succinct. Good for you, Mohammed Khareji!
I am seriously very happy that Oula has taken this step forward and I do hope they take the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Well its gr8 news for a change.. I hope the poor guy who showed his hands doesnt get sacked in the bargain 🙁
Yeah its great they’re responding and taking action
I think you should blame Tanzifco, not Oula.
They are obliged to look after the worker as he’s been contracted from them.
Excellent excellent excellent PR!!
I don’t believe that statement for one bit,
Anyway, it was this blog (and Mark) that brought this to everyones attention. Therefore I will not thank Al Kahreeji for his “polished” “rehearsed” statement, nor his assurance that all the workers are treated with respect. I thank Mark and his readers for this. Shedding light on serious issues one blog post at a time.
The only thing that I see right now that would change this situation or similar ones in Kuwait is posts like these on this blog not statements like the one above.
It was marzouq who shed light on this
All the same Mark, doesn’t matter, all that matters is this guy got the attention he needed. Now to just follow up on that.
Although I am glad to hear a response from Oula, I am still going to go and check on this worker. His name will be in my next update. Cheers for all the efforts.
Marzouq, I salute you.
By the way, I didn’t mean to sound pessimistic in my comment above. I think it is great they have responded this way, I just hope it remains like this. I don’t see it happening any time soon though. I do however feel that with people like Marzouq and blogs like this one things can turn out for the better.
They shouldn’t wait for people to talk about it, this should be the right thing to do from the start.
Bravo to Marzouq and you for posting.
@Shaw one has to acknowledge the problem to solve it. I am Kuwaiti by marriage, my husband is a Kuwaiti and my daughter is a Kuwaiti. It makes me far from proud to see these things happen here in Kuwait. Many of the companies involved are Kuwaiti companies I just posted on my blog regarding the mess in Selwa park that was left by various nationalities (who can’t be bothered to clean their own mess up because they are too lazy, spoilt and uncaring of the environment) the cleaners who normally tidy up after these litterers have been on strike for 2 weeks because they are not being paid by their KUWAITI company. And pls don’t tell me to “leave” that kind of talk doesn’t get anyone, anywhere..
Regarding Selwa Park http://www.ladieswhodolunchinkuwait.com and I got it in the Al Watan Arabic newspaper.
Denial doesn’t make solutions..
@ Keith- Pls let me know how he is. And tell him to make sure to use the Mebo cream it’s really good stuff. Thanks.
Well this is good news… the poor soul will at least get to rest while he suffers from his burning hand…
but what about other incidents? other workers?
funny how in this country some are so obsessed about preserving q8y virtue by suffocating women and happiness and freedom but totally ignoring the poor workers every where and giving them the blind eye…
I wonder if they will actually help the guy or just fire him and repatriate him for talking too much.
The same thought is what came to my mind MSM…I think the guy will get in trouble for it….
Well done everyone.
Give the company some credit. Huge corporations are also run by humans.
keep it up both of u 🙂
Mark,
you better prepare your forum for some “Complaining” section.
i will post my issues there, that would be faster to solve than a wasta..
I am still keeping my fingers crossed, i sincerely hope that this doesn’t affect the victim’s job by any means.
It’s a great response from OULA, but that doesn’t translate into a great response from the subcontractors. I hope no heads will roll and the issue will be treated with compassion and the whole issue will be resolved amicably.
Marzouq! you are the man!! and MARK today 248am has shown what it can do!! Keep up the good work!! and keep them coming!
Great bunch of words from these guys but I’d like them to get back to you with actual results at the end of the day. I want to know what happens to this poor guy.
The mere fact the a SALES SUPERVISOR responded shows how indifferent the company is to such MAJOR violation ! The CEO should reply and appologize. That’s leadership.
Well donr Marzouq & Mark.
… and Oula.
Result!
GREAT THAT THE BLOGGING COMMUNITY CAN AFFECT CHANGE. Lets hope Oula doesn’t fire this employee, this would be an utter disgrace, i want oula to give updates on the employee and the improvement of his hand.
YIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEE HAHAHA tht was a freakin quick response kool.now d guy vl b treated n he will b fine soon.GOD BLESS MARK N MARZOUQ for gettin dis done.Great wurk man really proud ov u guys cheers!!
Here is an update on my visit to the petrol pump. Our injured man’s name is Munibla and he is from Kerala – India. I did not get to meet him, neither did I get his mobile number. However I did speak to one of the workers there who informed that Munibal has got two weeks off with full pay.
Besides this there was a representative from Oula keeping an eye on whoever entered the gas station. While I was speaking to the worker, he was called away twice. They approached me to say something, but at the last minute changed their minds and turned away.
Well! I’ll do a follow up on Munibla once in a while and hope for the best.
Hope the investigation and procedure part does not get toooooo long
they need to act quickly and send the guy to any hospital and at least give him like a week off
lets see how do they act upon this matter.
Marzouq thanks for making a difference and I also appreciate everyones contribution and cheers. Our injured person’s name is ‘Munaibla’ and is from Kerala – India.
As promised I visited the Oula pump and got to speak to another worker, who confirmed that Munaibla has got two weeks off with full pay and is well.
The world just turned a shade brighter, thanks to all of us.
WAY TO GO KEITH :O) And wishing a speedy recovery to Manaibla. Yes Oula we will be checking up on him.
Oh Mark I think you started something here.. ;O)
Hats off. You have done a very good job. I am really proud of you.
Mark can you receive money in Kuwait using Paypal? If yes why don’t you setup a donation account for the worker; I know I would be happy to contribute something.
So–“Oh–I’m sorry, your arm is severely burnt and you’re still handling gasoline! Didn’t see you there buddy! This is all just a big misunderstanding! Wouldn’t want that to happen because I’m a concerned citizen who aims to make Kuwait the best country EVER!”
Marzouq! You rock 😀
@FYI, FYI, don’t start something that you can’t finish…
from all concerned citizens ?? racist
it gives a deep satisfaction when u know u did something good for someone…….
i’m sure MARK/MARZOOQ must be feeling the same.
Great job done guys!
Hey Buddies,
Keep up the good work.
talking is free of charge
el 7achi ebbalash
Shaw, first off desert sky, like anyone else on this blog is entitled to his opinion of Kuwait and Kuwaitis, learn to live with an open mind.
And secondly, the alshaya.com link is likely due to the office deport banner on the website.
Typical PR Bull.. This incident was just too much for me. An apology from the CEO on the front pages of all major newspapers may do it for me, or even not.
I’m boycotting and moving to my next door Sour stations or KNPC everywhere else. You people should all do the same.
Two weeks off?!
Was his other hand injured, crippled or missing?
Something has gone awry here. Seems things swing from one extreme (back to work, now!) to another extreme (two weeks off w/ pay. like a comfy pillow?).
As a legal worker he’s entitled to medical care. And his treatment ought to be what the doctor prescribes, not what the boss says. That being said, he wasn’t injured at work. Hardly seems fair that the employer now has to suck it up. By law the worker is entitled to some sick days. Those that go beyond what he’s due ought not to be paid – at least the employer ought not compelled to do so to assuage public indignation.
Perhaps if reasonableness were the course of action from the get go things would be better for all concerned.
i dont usually comment but I am VERY happy to see the response by Oula it shows that they care by responding in the first place. I am confident that they are doing their best.
I LOVE OULA AND THEIR RESPONSE!!!! ESPECIALLY: “who aim to make Kuwait the best country ever.” man thats just a great statement!!!
MARK ….
You made me your Fan … BLOGS need some Purpose … Thats Powerful Journalism … Let us All Fix Kuwait … Hats off Man.. Being born in Kuwait we are seeing a lot things happening and this is not the Kuwait I grew up to see .
I bet the guy with the burn is fired…..
insider news:
1. Tanzifco isn’t the main contractor with Oula, it’s Kaharafi National, Tanzifco is a subcontractor.
2. heads did roll: Tanzifco labor supervisor was sacked for forcing the sick guy to work to cover the shortage in manpower.
3. Station supervisor sacked for not reporting the incident to oula.
last word to “teachthemasses”: I bet they won’t fire him (not during my watch) I’ll keep vsiting the station until I make sure he’s back.
and “katukoa”: Soor laborers always rip you off for few fills and their supervisors level is very low. oula still are much better.. at least they responded.
Well done guys, not only have you helped someone who desperately needed medical attention but you’ve also helped to get the person responsible reprimanded (hopefully)
I think we better keep an eye on the guy (burn victim), why do i have a feeling he is not going to be working for Tenzifco for long.
I haven’t read all the comments here but medical care is only part of the solution. If he is for example prescribed antibiotics who pays for that?
Just a insight why it got resolved so quickly..
One guy from the Oula Competitors noticed the post and he reported this to his management and HSE (Safety, Health & Environment) managers to avoid such incidents in their stations as it bring such a bad name.
That email worked like a twister and it immediately reached Oula top bosses and they were probably embarassed to hear it from the competitors…
They took immediate action as Dmanage control measure and hence the result.
Do I need to tell who is Oula Competitors…!!!
Good that it worked… no matter who was instrumental in it.. but for sure if Keith hadn’t reported, Marked hasn’t posted on the blog and all the people here did not condemn it so strongly… nothing wud have changed.
Thanks to all… and to that invisible guy as well who ensured that such incidents are avoided in future.
bs bs bs bs!!!! should have replied when they have actually done something about it. bs!!!!!!!! amateur pr work
Hey Guy’s i’m from the states but living in Kuwait. Seeing this super 95 WOW back in the states i fill up with 94 and let me tell you it give me that high boost on my car. The 95 is really great and you would love it.