This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/14/for-qatars-foreign-workers-global-scrutiny-working-to-a-point

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Have Qatar's work conditions improved? Migrant labourers tell their stories Have Qatar's work conditions improved? Migrant labourers tell their stories
(about 19 hours later)
It’s an incongruous location for a cricket stadium. In the shimmering heat of Doha’s industrial zone, amid a wasteland of low-rise factories, garages and unpaved roads, the 24,000-seater venue, complete with electronic scoreboard and a healthy-looking grass pitch, seems out of place.It’s an incongruous location for a cricket stadium. In the shimmering heat of Doha’s industrial zone, amid a wasteland of low-rise factories, garages and unpaved roads, the 24,000-seater venue, complete with electronic scoreboard and a healthy-looking grass pitch, seems out of place.
The new ground was built for Qatar’s legion of south Asian labourers to relax in during the few leisure hours they get – just one of the improvements being trumpeted by the authorities as they move to tackle the horrendous living and working conditions exposed by the Guardian.The new ground was built for Qatar’s legion of south Asian labourers to relax in during the few leisure hours they get – just one of the improvements being trumpeted by the authorities as they move to tackle the horrendous living and working conditions exposed by the Guardian.
Related: Qatar claims life improving for World Cup workers, but rights groups sceptical
Not far away, workers are putting the finishing touches to an elegant, high-ceilinged mosque. Outside the hyper mall there is even a little fairground.Not far away, workers are putting the finishing touches to an elegant, high-ceilinged mosque. Outside the hyper mall there is even a little fairground.
But the most striking novelty is the recently opened Labour City – providing spacious, air-conditioned rooms for four with storage lockers, TV viewing areas and centralised catering services where Egyptian, Lebanese and Filipino managers look after the army of Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans toiling in the super-wealthy Gulf state’s 40C heat.But the most striking novelty is the recently opened Labour City – providing spacious, air-conditioned rooms for four with storage lockers, TV viewing areas and centralised catering services where Egyptian, Lebanese and Filipino managers look after the army of Indians, Nepalese, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans toiling in the super-wealthy Gulf state’s 40C heat.
“Hopefully we will eliminate the words ‘labour camp’ and talk about ‘labour cities’ in the future,” declared Abdulla al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s minister of labour. “We have had the good, the bad and the ugly. This is the new benchmark.” Plans have been drawn up for seven such cities to house the 280,000 additional migrants expected to be working on a £137bn construction spree in advance of the 2022 World Cup.“Hopefully we will eliminate the words ‘labour camp’ and talk about ‘labour cities’ in the future,” declared Abdulla al-Khulaifi, Qatar’s minister of labour. “We have had the good, the bad and the ugly. This is the new benchmark.” Plans have been drawn up for seven such cities to house the 280,000 additional migrants expected to be working on a £137bn construction spree in advance of the 2022 World Cup.
With the prized – and controversial – event finally in the bag after being shifted to the cooler winter months, the emirate is anxious to raise its game and polish an image battered by the abuses of its kafala (labour sponsorship) system, which severely restricts the rights and freedoms of migrant workers.With the prized – and controversial – event finally in the bag after being shifted to the cooler winter months, the emirate is anxious to raise its game and polish an image battered by the abuses of its kafala (labour sponsorship) system, which severely restricts the rights and freedoms of migrant workers.
The improved housing looks impressive. The new rooms could be mistaken for college dorms in the US or Europe. Alcohol and cooking are banned but Wi-Fi, table tennis and laundry facilities are standard. “We don’t want them getting bored so we try to keep them busy,” said property manager Emmanuel Encinares Austria. “Pretty much everything is looked after.”The improved housing looks impressive. The new rooms could be mistaken for college dorms in the US or Europe. Alcohol and cooking are banned but Wi-Fi, table tennis and laundry facilities are standard. “We don’t want them getting bored so we try to keep them busy,” said property manager Emmanuel Encinares Austria. “Pretty much everything is looked after.”
Each beige-coloured block will house 1,250 workers. The canteen choice of Asian, Arabic or Filipino food served on metal trays is basic but carbohydrate-rich for men who work outside in punishing physical conditions, anonymous in overalls and safety helmets, faces masked against the dust.Each beige-coloured block will house 1,250 workers. The canteen choice of Asian, Arabic or Filipino food served on metal trays is basic but carbohydrate-rich for men who work outside in punishing physical conditions, anonymous in overalls and safety helmets, faces masked against the dust.
But elsewhere in the industrial zone it is the same old story: eight men to a single claustrophobic room, dirt-encrusted kitchens with exposed gas canisters, insanitary and inadequate toilet facilities, corridors obstructed by drying clothes.But elsewhere in the industrial zone it is the same old story: eight men to a single claustrophobic room, dirt-encrusted kitchens with exposed gas canisters, insanitary and inadequate toilet facilities, corridors obstructed by drying clothes.
Related: Qatar claims life improving for World Cup workers, but rights groups scepticalRelated: Qatar claims life improving for World Cup workers, but rights groups sceptical
In one of the many streets that have neither names nor identifying features, a building with a makeshift mosque at the back was being partially refurbished after the owners were warned to clean up or face hefty fines or blacklisting following a labour ministry inspection two weeks ago.In one of the many streets that have neither names nor identifying features, a building with a makeshift mosque at the back was being partially refurbished after the owners were warned to clean up or face hefty fines or blacklisting following a labour ministry inspection two weeks ago.
“It’s OK here,” shrugged Ramesh, a stocky Nepalese security guard who looked uncomfortable speaking in front of Qatari officials keen to showcase the stricter enforcement. “I’ve been here for seven years. But not much has changed.”“It’s OK here,” shrugged Ramesh, a stocky Nepalese security guard who looked uncomfortable speaking in front of Qatari officials keen to showcase the stricter enforcement. “I’ve been here for seven years. But not much has changed.”
In another accommodation block round the corner, where Egyptians, Indians and Bangladeshis are served by a small company-owned shop, the work was more advanced, the kitchen walls now covered in hygienic white tiles.In another accommodation block round the corner, where Egyptians, Indians and Bangladeshis are served by a small company-owned shop, the work was more advanced, the kitchen walls now covered in hygienic white tiles.
On another, unescorted visit the Guardian found further examples of unedifying living conditions. Eight Nepalese construction workers shared a room with a small table squeezed between their bunks, watched over by the Hindu god Shiva from a shoe-box-sized cardboard shrine. There were no lockers. The air conditioning provided relief from the scorching heat outside but when it broke down it could take days to repair.On another, unescorted visit the Guardian found further examples of unedifying living conditions. Eight Nepalese construction workers shared a room with a small table squeezed between their bunks, watched over by the Hindu god Shiva from a shoe-box-sized cardboard shrine. There were no lockers. The air conditioning provided relief from the scorching heat outside but when it broke down it could take days to repair.
Three months ago the whole building was suddenly given a thorough cleaning on the orders of the local council – another of several signs of mounting state pressure on private sector employers and landlords. The labour ministry has boosted its complement of inspectors to nearly 300.Three months ago the whole building was suddenly given a thorough cleaning on the orders of the local council – another of several signs of mounting state pressure on private sector employers and landlords. The labour ministry has boosted its complement of inspectors to nearly 300.
Yet better accommodation is far from the whole picture. The Qatari government highlights the introduction of a new direct bank payment system that employers are required to comply with by August – a response to widespread complaints about late or non-payment of wages. “We still get our salaries in cash but we do usually get paid on time,” said Bhaktabahadur, a Nepalese construction worker – like all his roommates a skinny man in T-shirt and flip-flops – and, in common with others, unwilling to give his full name.Yet better accommodation is far from the whole picture. The Qatari government highlights the introduction of a new direct bank payment system that employers are required to comply with by August – a response to widespread complaints about late or non-payment of wages. “We still get our salaries in cash but we do usually get paid on time,” said Bhaktabahadur, a Nepalese construction worker – like all his roommates a skinny man in T-shirt and flip-flops – and, in common with others, unwilling to give his full name.
Anecdotal evidence from random conversations and NGO monitoring suggests more companies are also complying with the new requirement to allow employees to keep their own passports – often withheld as a means of control and intimidation, though some firms claim it is simply for reasons of efficiency. Ilham, a Sri Lankan carpenter, said his employer still had his passport though he could get it back when he needed it. Information about enforcement is scanty, however.Anecdotal evidence from random conversations and NGO monitoring suggests more companies are also complying with the new requirement to allow employees to keep their own passports – often withheld as a means of control and intimidation, though some firms claim it is simply for reasons of efficiency. Ilham, a Sri Lankan carpenter, said his employer still had his passport though he could get it back when he needed it. Information about enforcement is scanty, however.
Related: Qatar: how have conditions for migrant workers changed in nine key areas?Related: Qatar: how have conditions for migrant workers changed in nine key areas?
Low pay and long hours are major preoccupations. Duncan Njunge, a Kenyan security guard earning 1,600 Qatari riyals (£280) a month for a 12-hour day, said his living conditions had improved significantly recently. He also has his own passport. “The most important thing is to increase the salary and cut working hours,” he said. “But there’s nowhere to go and if you do take a day off you will spend money instead of earning it.” The new cricket ground does not appeal.Low pay and long hours are major preoccupations. Duncan Njunge, a Kenyan security guard earning 1,600 Qatari riyals (£280) a month for a 12-hour day, said his living conditions had improved significantly recently. He also has his own passport. “The most important thing is to increase the salary and cut working hours,” he said. “But there’s nowhere to go and if you do take a day off you will spend money instead of earning it.” The new cricket ground does not appeal.
“Their conditions are not good,” admitted Aarav, an Indian employing 90 Asians, including carpenters and steel fixers working on a World Cup stadium site, on salaries ranging from QR900-QR1,200, plus overtime. “My workers are extremely poor,” he said. “They beg me to increase their salaries.”“Their conditions are not good,” admitted Aarav, an Indian employing 90 Asians, including carpenters and steel fixers working on a World Cup stadium site, on salaries ranging from QR900-QR1,200, plus overtime. “My workers are extremely poor,” he said. “They beg me to increase their salaries.”
Shubash, a decorator, has been in Qatar for four years and still earns the QR950 that was agreed with the middleman he met in Kathmandu, where he got his air ticket and visa to Doha. “I am not satisfied given the amount of work I do,” he said. “The salary is based on the contract I signed at the beginning and they won’t increase it however hard I work or however good I am.”Shubash, a decorator, has been in Qatar for four years and still earns the QR950 that was agreed with the middleman he met in Kathmandu, where he got his air ticket and visa to Doha. “I am not satisfied given the amount of work I do,” he said. “The salary is based on the contract I signed at the beginning and they won’t increase it however hard I work or however good I am.”
Mahendra has other worries. “Everything is OK but there is a problem with dust or gas, maybe from the plant nearby. I often have a sore throat in the morning. We all suffer from that. We have tried complaining to the accountant, who’s also from Nepal, but we don’t know if he told the company.”Mahendra has other worries. “Everything is OK but there is a problem with dust or gas, maybe from the plant nearby. I often have a sore throat in the morning. We all suffer from that. We have tried complaining to the accountant, who’s also from Nepal, but we don’t know if he told the company.”
Complaints can cause problems if aired too publicly. “There is a perpetual fear of losing your job or being deported so you get a stamp in your passport that stops you working,” said Sayeed Mohammed, an independent researcher. “If a camp boss knows someone has talked to a journalist about his problems with the company he would be fired.” Activists face harassment and pressure if they are too high profile. Trade unions remain illegal; there is no minimum wage.Complaints can cause problems if aired too publicly. “There is a perpetual fear of losing your job or being deported so you get a stamp in your passport that stops you working,” said Sayeed Mohammed, an independent researcher. “If a camp boss knows someone has talked to a journalist about his problems with the company he would be fired.” Activists face harassment and pressure if they are too high profile. Trade unions remain illegal; there is no minimum wage.
Nepalese and Bangladeshi workers are at the bottom of the heap, with the lowest pay and worst conditions. Other migrants say the kafala system treats them reasonably well – and includes prospects for mobility.Nepalese and Bangladeshi workers are at the bottom of the heap, with the lowest pay and worst conditions. Other migrants say the kafala system treats them reasonably well – and includes prospects for mobility.
I won't be satisfied until the international media has nothing to write aboutI won't be satisfied until the international media has nothing to write about
Vijay, a cheerful 32-year old from Kerala in India, began working in Qatar as a welder 10 years ago, earning QR1,200 and sharing a squalid room with nine others in the Doha industrial zone. Now he earns five times as much, drives a smart SUV for his Indian employer, has his own passport and is looking forward to a visit by his wife and child. Vijay knows he was lucky, not least because his passable English has given him wider job choices.Vijay, a cheerful 32-year old from Kerala in India, began working in Qatar as a welder 10 years ago, earning QR1,200 and sharing a squalid room with nine others in the Doha industrial zone. Now he earns five times as much, drives a smart SUV for his Indian employer, has his own passport and is looking forward to a visit by his wife and child. Vijay knows he was lucky, not least because his passable English has given him wider job choices.
Mahmoud Asif, sprawled with three Nepalese friends, all office employees, on the spiky grass on the Doha Corniche, where the old wooden dhows are a picturesque reminder of simpler days in the Gulf, also counts himself as fortunate. “Many workers don’t get any holidays and don’t get paid on time,” he reflected. “We are three in a room but many are eight. In some sectors, especially domestic work, it really feels like slave labour.”Mahmoud Asif, sprawled with three Nepalese friends, all office employees, on the spiky grass on the Doha Corniche, where the old wooden dhows are a picturesque reminder of simpler days in the Gulf, also counts himself as fortunate. “Many workers don’t get any holidays and don’t get paid on time,” he reflected. “We are three in a room but many are eight. In some sectors, especially domestic work, it really feels like slave labour.”
External scrutiny and pressure appears to be working – up to a point. “I am making progress,” Khulaifi insisted, “but I won’t be satisfied until the international media has nothing to write about to give me nightmares. We don’t want people to compliment us or thank us, but to know that we Qataris are serious.”External scrutiny and pressure appears to be working – up to a point. “I am making progress,” Khulaifi insisted, “but I won’t be satisfied until the international media has nothing to write about to give me nightmares. We don’t want people to compliment us or thank us, but to know that we Qataris are serious.”
Ricardo, a Filipino who has been in Doha for seven years and had to wait for four before he was given his passport back, gives the emirate a mixed review. “There have been a lot of changes because of the World Cup,” he said. “The accommodation is improving. We used to be seven in a room and since 2013 we are three. It’s OK. But friends of mine earn much more than I do and I’m not allowed to change jobs. I’m still waiting for them to change the sponsorship system.”Ricardo, a Filipino who has been in Doha for seven years and had to wait for four before he was given his passport back, gives the emirate a mixed review. “There have been a lot of changes because of the World Cup,” he said. “The accommodation is improving. We used to be seven in a room and since 2013 we are three. It’s OK. But friends of mine earn much more than I do and I’m not allowed to change jobs. I’m still waiting for them to change the sponsorship system.”