Qatar: Security company disregards labor law
Summary
Date Reported: 2 May 2021
Location: Qatar
Companies
Marriott - Client , Al Muftah - Client , Al-Shaheen Holding - Client , Construction & Reconstruction Engineering Co. (CRC) - Client , European Guarding & Security Services (EGSSCO) - Employer , Ezdan Holding Group - Client , Hilton - Client , Katara Hospitality - Client , Qatar Fertiliser Co. (QAFCO) - Client , Qatar Fuel Additives Co. (QAFAC) - Client , Qatar Gas Transport Co. (Nakilat) - Client , Qatar National Bank (QNB) - Client , Qatar Petrochemical Co. (QAPCO) - Client , FIFA - ClientProjects
FIFA Club World Cup - ClientAffected
Total individuals affected: 4000
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 4000 - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Restricted mobility , Wage Theft , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre; Journalist
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The Qatari authorities have launched an investigation into the case, and confirmed that they have taken necessary actions to resolve the violation with the company and ensure the workers’ rights are met. The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited the publicly displayed clients of EGSSCO to respond and asked them to set out any steps they are taking in response and what due diligence they undertook on EGSSCO before contracting with them. Ezdan Holding groups, Hilton, Construction and Reconstruction Engineering Co., Qatar Gas Transport Co, FIFA, Marriott have provided responses, while QAPCO, QAFCO, Al-Shaheen Holding, Qatar Development Bank, QAFAC, Katara Hospitality, Al Muftah did not respond. EGGSCO were recently contracted to provide workers during the FIFA Club World Cup; FIFA also provided a response.
Source type: News outlet
..... Guest workers from the security company " European Guarding & Security Services Co. " (EGSS) are affected. With over 4,000 employees, it is one of the largest security companies in Qatar. Last Monday (April 26th, 2021) employees of the company went on strike in protest. The company had submitted new employment contracts to them, which the strikers believe will undermine the reform process announced by the Qatari government last autumn. The editors have a sample contract.
...... As pioneering reforms, Qatar announced last September that guest workers could change jobs before their contract expired without having to obtain a corresponding No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, as well as an increase in the minimum wage to Qatari 1,000 Riyal, the equivalent of just under 230 euros. This heralded the end of the controversial kafala system.