Qatar: UrbaCon reportedly overworking employees without compensation in a rush to finalise World Cup projects, incl. co. comments
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Mar 2022
Location: Qatar
Companies
UrbaCon Trading & Contracting - Employer , FIFA - PartnerProjects
Qatar World Cup 2022 Unspecified Projects - ClientAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Personal Health , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: A quote in the article was provided: “UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company (UCC) takes the physical and mental wellbeing of our workers very seriously. Working extra hours and overtime are offered and compensated in accordance with the Labour law,” the company said in a statement to Doha News. “UCC is strongly committed to protecting workers’ welfare standards. We have established welfare committees that include worker representatives to improve communications and working conditions,” the statement added.
Source type: News outlet
"Workers say they’re being “exploited ahead of FIFA World Cup 2022”", 6 Mar 2022
With just months to the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2022 opening, there are reports of workers not being paid and being forced to work longer hours.
Qatar-based UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company has extended working hours for their employees and removed the Friday weekend in order to finish the World Cup projects ‘on time,’ a leaked official document has revealed.
“All are kindly requested to extend the working hours of your crews and staff till 21:00 daily with immediate effect. This is mandatory to successfully achieve the strict project delivery timeline,” the document read. “Fridays will be full working day for all sub-contractors until further notice.”
Workers told Doha News that they received no ‘prior notice’ and were not asked if the sudden extension would be suitable for them. The company will also not pay the workers for the extra hours.
Qatar’s Labour Law does not require private companies to compensate their employers for extra time, nor does it require to ask before extending working hours. However, Friday is the weekly rest day for all workers, except those on shift.
"UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company (UCC) takes the physical and mental wellbeing of our workers very seriously. Working extra hours and overtime are offered and compensated in accordance with the Labour law...UCC is strongly committed to protecting workers’ welfare standards. We have established welfare committees that include worker representatives to improve communications and working conditions.”UrbaCon in a statement to Doha News