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mandates that the state with which the worker is affiliated provide him with information about the nature of work and living standards in Qatar. Moreover, the Ministry of Labor has issued a guide for migrant workers in Qatar, which contains information about the country, the worker’s rights, and the obligations of the employer. This guidebook was published in both Arabic and English and distributed to all embassies in Qatar for translation into their official languages. The guide is also distributed at the Doha International Airport daily to first-time migrant workers. II. Wages, adequate housing, health care, and safety While employers have different obligations, the Ministry is keen to ensure they comply with the minimum standard upheld in the labor law and relevant ministerial decrees. Regarding the timely payment of wages, the Ministry conducts monthly inspections of all companies and institutions and audits their accounts to ensure that workers receive their wages. We also wish to stress the Minister of Labor’s concern with the timely payment of wages by noting that administrative sanctions—up to the automatic suspension of all the company’s transactions—are imposed on those companies that do not pay their workers’ wages at the specified time. They may be also referred to the judiciary, as the non-payment of wages is considered a criminal, punishable act. Currently, the Ministry is working to eliminate the non-payment of wages in coordination with employers and the country’s banks, via the payment of wages through banks. This idea has been well received by companies and institutions that employ a large labor force, and as this experiment is universalized, complaints of late or non-payment of wages will decrease. Regarding housing, the Ministry issued Ministerial Decree 17 detailing the conditions and specifications of adequate housing for workers. This decree set the minimum standard for sanitation and other needs, and is subject to inspection by the Inspection Directorate in the Ministry. 107 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2012
Regarding healthcare, it is well known that Qatar provides free treatment for all residents of the country, for a nominal fee, as treatment is subsidized by the state. The employer pays only the fee to obtain a health card, which is 100 rials annually. Nevertheless, the law requires employees to provide medical and healthcare to workers, and it also requires employers to provide paramedic aid at the workplace, which begins at the level of a paramedic nurse and includes a clinic and doctor on staff for every 500 workers. Thus, the statement that workers do not receive healthcare, or that they bear the costs of treatment is incorrect and false. Regarding occupational safety and health, there is a department in the Inspection Directorate tasked with inspecting occupational safety and health, which inspects factories and workplaces on a daily basis. Occupational safety and health are at the top of the Ministry’s agenda. Cabinet Decree 16/2011 was issued establishing the National Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, which is currently working to draft a national plan for occupational safety and health. In addition, a guide will soon be issued on conditions, safety measures, and accidentprevention in construction, by order of the Cabinet. III. Forced labor The Ministry has received no complaint of forced labor and it is inconceivable that such a thing exists in Qatar, as the worker may break his contract and return to his country whenever he wishes and the employer cannot force him to remain in the country against his will. Whenever a worker turns to the competent authorities and expresses his desire to leave his job and return to his country, the Interior Ministry requires the employer to procure a return ticket for the worker. If the worker has a complaint against the employer regarding his wage or other entitlements, the worker is referred to the competent labor court to hear BUILDING A BETTER WORLD CUP 108
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H U M A N R I G H T S W A T C H Bui
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Copyright © 2012 Human Rights Watc
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To Construction, Labor-Supply, and
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Based on interviews with 73 migrant
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employers to ensure potable water,
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whether they forfeit their rights i
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Necessary Steps Qatar’s Governmen
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secretary-general of FIFA, stated t
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ather than directly by the companie
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(above) Massive construction projec
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(above) A migrant construction work
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Hallway lights illuminate a worker
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20 Building a better world cup
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This Bangladeshi migrant worker tol
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Migrant workers housed in Doha’s
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26 Building a better world cup
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Methodology Human Rights Watch cond
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I. Background Qatar, a Gulf country
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Meanwhile, migrant workers’ labor
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labor is temporary. Once their job
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“mandatory contract language and
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of 2004 set a maximum prison term o
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However, the lack of official compl
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Even on its face, the Labor Law lac
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The Sponsorship Law requires reside
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Qatar has not ratified conventions
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if they occur. 90 Former UN Special
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usiness with subcontractors, suppli
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or who have learned of job opportun
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written agreements into real, effec
Page 61 and 62: offered himself voluntarily.” 114
Page 63 and 64: after their arrival), or penalizes
Page 65 and 66: The New Doha International Airport
Page 67 and 68: disciplinary purposes, and up to 50
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Page 71 and 72: people [have to share] one bathroom
Page 73 and 74: of 191 Nepali workers from all caus
Page 75 and 76: matters that the foreigner has to r
Page 77 and 78: Aspire Zone The Aspire Zone is the
Page 79 and 80: [an] emergency exit [from the count
Page 81 and 82: While their response also states th
Page 83 and 84: Qatar’s labor ministry has taken
Page 85 and 86: Without available translators or in
Page 87 and 88: would terminate the employment rela
Page 89 and 90: Qatar’s Sponsorship Law states th
Page 91 and 92: etween January 2009 and September 2
Page 93 and 94: notarized undertakings in workers
Page 95 and 96: • Ensure that courts reviewing la
Page 97 and 98: • Finance a public awareness camp
Page 99 and 100: Acknowledgements This report was re
Page 101 and 102: Qatar from charging workers fees, b
Page 103 and 104: interviewed for this report said th
Page 105 and 106: Qatar, local employers and recruitm
Page 107 and 108: Request for Information Human Right
Page 109 and 110: Sponsorship-related problems: • A
Page 111: The administration has received no
Page 115 and 116: Qatari laws do not permit charging
Page 117 and 118: Qatar, which require the approval o
Page 119 and 120: 4. Asks the employer or his represe
Page 121 and 122: Regarding training, Article 99 of t
Page 123 and 124: Regarding the second question, on t
Page 125 and 126: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH 350 Fifth Avenue
Page 127 and 128: process of writing to relevant comp
Page 129 and 130: • arrange for independent monitor
Page 131 and 132: BUILDING A BETTER WORLD CUP 126
Page 133 and 134: World Cup. We have enclosed a summa
Page 135 and 136: deception and the disparity between
Page 137 and 138: CH2M HILL Response to Human Rights
Page 139 and 140: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH 350 Fifth Avenue
Page 141 and 142: We would like to take this opportun
Page 143 and 144: Aspire Logistics Response to Human
Page 147 and 148: construction industry as a whole an
Page 149 and 150: • show that you have taken all po
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