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On August 4th and 5th 2019, an estimated 800 – 900 migrant workers employed on construction sites across Qatar staged peaceful protests at salary delays lasting up to five months. Two companies were publicly named, Tashgeel and Iskan, but it is likely other employers were also involved.
The workers protested at two locations, Labour City migrant worker accommodation and Shaniyeh municipality, where a local resident confirmed the strike and workers’ demands for wages. Workers also reported poor living conditions and alleged that their employers had failed to renew their work permits or issue them with no objection certificates to allow them to change employer.
Despite Qatari legislation curtailing workers’ rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association, video evidence showed a heavily armed police presence remaining unengaged.
Companies
Iskan Group (Partner of Tashgeel)
- Employer
,
FIFA
- Partner
,
Tashgeel Group
- Employer
Projects
Al Bayt Stadium
- Client
,
Al Thumama Stadium
- Client
,
Hamad International Airport (expansion)
- Client
,
Msheireb Downtown Doha
- Client
,
Education City Stadium
- Client
Affected
Total individuals affected:
900
Migrant & immigrant workers: (
Number unknown
- Location unknown
, Construction
, Gender not reported
)
Issues
Failing to renew visas
,
Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions
,
Restricted mobility
,
Wage Theft
,
Freedom of Movement
Action taken: In light of the strikes, HRW reiterated its calls to the government to amend labour laws to allow workers to escape abusive situations and guarantee the right for workers to strike. A Qatari government statement confirmed an investigation into the allegations. The Resource Centre contacted Tashgeel Group for a response to the allegations. We were unable to reach Iskan Group.
According to a government statement, an investigation into the wage delays had found a series of non-payments to both companies elsewhere in the supply chain.
Hundreds of migrant workers in Qatar went on strike this week to protest what they say are poor working conditions, unpaid and delayed wages, and threats of reduced wages, Human Rights Watch said today.
One migrant worker at a Qatari company that provides maintenance, cleaning, plumbing, and other services, told Human Rights Watch that he and between 800 and 1,000 other employees refused to report to work on August 5, 2019. The employee said there had been repeated threats from management to deport the workers if they refused to sign new contracts substantially reducing their wages. Hamad International Airport, Qatar’s main airport, is among the company’s clients.
Five police vehicles arrived on site [ of the strike] .... but that they did not try to disperse the protesters.
While positive, reforms [ aimed at improving migrant worker conditions] have not gone far enough, and implementation has been uneven.
Click on allegations button to the left to see further details including which companies and World Cup projects were implicated