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of 191 Nepali workers from all causes in 2010, attributing 103 (51 percent) to cardiac arrest,
though workers do not fall into the age group typically at risk of cardiac failure, and 19 to
work site fatalities. 167
Like many of the protections provided under the Labor Law, workers reported inconsistent
protections despite Qatar’s legal standards on workplace safety. While some workers said
that their employers provided safety training before asking them to begin work, others said
they received no training despite the dangers of their job. Hari S., a 30-year-old worker
from Nepal, worked for a construction company that specialized in waterproofing and
sealing. He said:
The work is very dangerous. I have to wear about 50 to 60 kilos on my body
and take it up to the work site on a building … there’s absolutely no safety
on the job. I haven’t fallen off yet, luckily, but three or four of my friends
have fallen from around two stories high. I just scratched my eye—the
company doesn’t provide safety goggles, so I have to buy [them] myself. I
guess it was not good quality.
I just want someone to make sure my company follows safety regulations; I
never see any inspector. 168
Imran N., a worker from Bangladesh, told Human Rights Watch that after fourteen years of
working for a company that specialized in painting and plaster decor, he had developed an
allergy to chemicals he mixed with paint, as well as chronic back pain. Scars covered his
forearms, which he said he had gotten from working with toxic chemicals. Because he did
not have medical coverage, he said, “I spent too much money in [the] hospital, [and]
visited so many private doctors. I spent 2,600 riyals (US$714) for doctors. My company still
hasn’t paid one riyal.” 169
167 Habib Toumi, "Rise in Nepalese suicide cases in Qatar alarms officials," January 3, 2011, Gulf Times, available at:
http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/qatar/rise-in-nepalese-suicide-cases-in-qatar-alarms-officials-1.740253 (accessed June 6,
2012).
168 Human Rights Watch interview with Hari S., Doha Industrial Area, June 19, 2011.
169 Human Rights Watch interview with Imran N., area in front of labor complaints department, Doha Industrial Area, June 21,
2011.
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