It’s business as usual has been the sound bite from the Qatari Finance Minister...during five weeks of regional isolation and economic blockade...The crisis will undoubtedly squeeze businesses. But it will hurt hundreds of thousands of migrant workers more. Many now face an uncertain future fearing soaring prices of food and staple goods, unpaid wages, layoffs and destitution...[T]he country's booming construction sector is likely to face rising costs and difficulties importing materials and equipment...There is also a significant risk that real estate investment will dry up, which could lead to project delays and a halt of construction and business activities altogether...A lack of safeguards means that a squeeze on construction companies will quickly spread through the company and be passed down to the most vulnerable – the migrant workers...Construction companies could send wages into arrears, fire workers, fail to pay them their dues and end of service benefits, and assist in preventing workers from leaving the country...The uncertain plight of these workers highlights the urgent need for the large majority of lagging construction firms to wake up to their human rights responsibilities...[U]nless business steps up, workers will remain vulnerable in the long term and continue to feel the brunt of this crisis.​