In April 2020, an Amnesty International investigation found that hundreds of Nepali migrant workers had been rounded up by the Qatar government and detained in inhumane conditions, despite being told that they were being taken to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to their accommodation.
Some had possessions confiscated and others were threatened by the police. Whilst in detention the workers received inadequate food.
Only two of 20 interviewed told Amnesty that their employers had contacted them to offer to pay salaries. One said he was given cash by his company but that this was confiscated by police.
其他
Government (
行业未知/不适用
)
- Government
,
Not Reported (
行业未知/不适用
)
- Employer
后续行动: All workers were forcibly expelled from Qatar without receiving their owed salary and end-of-service benefits.
In response to the investigation, the Qatari government alleged that the men had "engaged in illegal and illicity activity"; however, 18 of those interviewed by Amnesty claimed to be unaware of any charges or accusations brought against them.
Qatari authorities rounded up and expelled dozens of migrant workers after telling them they were being taken to be tested for COVID-19...
they were taken to detention centres and held in appalling conditions for several days, before being sent to Nepal...
[Amnesty International's Steve Cockburn said] “It is disturbing that the Qatari authorities appear to have used the pandemic as a smokescreen for further abuses against migrant workers...
“The authorities must provide reparations... consider allowing those who have been expelled to return to Qatar if they so wish. The men’s employers must also urgently pay the salary and employment benefits they are owed.”...