On 20 May 2020, the Basra Gas Company (BGC) — a joint venture between two foreign companies and Iraq’s state-owned South Gas Company — evacuated at least 60 expatriate workers from Basra to London, U.K., and Rotterdam, Netherlands, until further notice due to protests by local employees over delayed salary payments. No expatriate workers were injured during the protests, and BGC officials stated that the unrest would not likely affect short-term output. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has promised to address the pay dispute.