Qatar 2022: Migrant workers reportedly face 5 months' unpaid leave during the tournament to be "invisible", raising concerns workers will face huge debt caused by extortionate recruitment fees & interest
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"Qatar is sending immigrant World Cup workers away from the country early and placing them on five months unpaid leave so they will not be visible... leading to Amnesty International calling on the FA to act," 13 Nov 2021
Qatar is sending immigrant World Cup workers away from the country early and placing them on five months unpaid leave so they will not be visible during the tournament.
Scores of construction workers, interviewed as part of a Mail on Sunday investigation into Qatar’s readiness for the World Cup, which kicks off a year next week, have been told that they must leave next August. That has left many fearing how they will repay ‘exorbitant’ loans they took out to buy the right to work in the country.
Amnesty International said that our findings were a cause for concern and urged the FA to press Qatar to provide greater protection for migrant workers.
We are concerned about reports suggesting that many migrant workers are being asked to leave the country before the start of the 2022 World Cup. We know that many workers tend to pay thousands of dollars in exorbitant and illegal recruitment fees to secure their jobs in Qatar and take out high-interest loans to pay them. Those who will be made to leave the country possibly before having paid their loans will find themselves with huge debts. ‘The FA, as part of the UEFA Working Group on Workers’ Rights in Qatar, should press Qatar to urgently strengthen migrant worker protections, financially compensate all workers and investigate unexplained deaths.May Romanos, Amnesty International's Gulf Researcher for Migrant Rights
We believe that there is evidence of substantial progress being made by Qatar in relation to workers’ rights, however we recognise there is still more to be done. Our view remains that change is best achieved by working collaboratively with others.FA spokesperson