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22 THE CASE AGAINST QATARPhoto: ITUC...in fact domestic workers law with impunity. Whilean increase in the numberwho fled for protection to theof inspectors has been announced,it is clear that theIndonesian Embassy is still high(approximately 5-10 per day)force is insufficient for theimmense task. The lack of inspectors who speak the range oflanguages found in the camps further limits their capacity. Evenif somehow the camps and worksites we visited were inspected,it is clear that the inspectorate has little power to enforce itsfindings or to monitor their implementation. Many violationsof the labour law carry no specific fine. While sanctions exist forthe exaction of forced labour and for trafficking, including penalsanctions in the latter case, they are not effectively enforced.consistent nature of the complaints from hundreds of workersinterviewed in numerous camps, from confiscation of passports,non-payment of wages, refusal to provide ID (exposing workersto criminal charges), to squalid accommodation, could not existwere the labour inspection as robust as claimed. The governmentalso touts its ability to blacklist companies, but in campafter camp, workers described how their employers violated theWorkers who want to bring a claim against their employer facea long and frustrating process. Initially, they can file a claim withthe Labour Relations Department, which is supposed to mediatea solution between the worker and employer. If that fails, thecomplaint is brought to the Labour Court, though one could godirectly to the court. However, workers have difficulty accessingthe complaints process. When the ITUC has tested the hotline(available in English or Arabic), it was not answered, ringing fora long time and then allowing the caller only to leave a voicemail.Workers often find it difficult to get the time off or theCASE STUDY:Al Jazeera Education ChannelNo one is free in Qatar. Freedom is denied for both migrantworkers and expat employers.Mahmoud Bouneb was invited to set up a new children’schannel for Al Jazeera by founder Sheikha Moza, wife of theformer Emir of Qatar.After setting up the channel and winning numerous awards,on Tuesday 27 September 2011 Mahmoud Bouneb, GeneralManager, and Malika Alouane, Director of Programming,were abruptly fired without any prior notice or warning. Onthat day their corporate email accounts and internet accesswere denied and a travel ban was imposed by the employer.Two audits, by Ernst & Young and the National Audit Office,have cleared them of any criminal charges. However, theState Prosecutor has decided to press charges and maintainthe travel ban on the three.For nearly 900 days Mahmoud, Malika and Haitham havebeen trapped in Qatar. They are deprived of their freedomand cannot seek medical help abroad.Photo: FileA week later, on 5th October 2011 Haitham Quedeih, FinancialController, was suspended and terminated. A further120 staff members were sacked in the following weeks withoutany explanation.On 30th October the company filed a case at Qatar’s GeneralProsecution against Mahmoud and other directors accused of‘’corruption, dilapidation and embezzlement of public funds’’.All salaries, medical insurance and allowances were stopped inOctober 2011. No settlement or end of service duty was paid.