On 17 April 2016 thousands of oil workers in Kuwait walked out on strike against government plans for privatisation of parts of the oil industry, and a new payroll system which, workers claimed, would reduce salaries. The strike slashed oil production in the country in half, from 3 million barrels per day down to just 1.5 million.
On April 20, workers eventually agreed to return to work "in respect for the emir and in loyalty to him", according to the Kuwait Oil Workers Union, while negotiations took place. The union claimed the strike had been "extremely successful", but it is unclear if they achieved any concessions.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/7783/kuwait-oil-strike
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