The Government Communication Reveals In Numbers The "Guardian" Misleading About The Death Of 6,500 Workers In The World Cup Projects

 The Deputy Director of the Government Communications Office, Sheikh Thamer bin Hamad Al Thani, confirmed that the British Guardian newspaper's report claiming that more than 6,500 migrant workers died while working in the stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup is misleading and far from reality.

Qatar Stadium Worker for World Cup 2022

The Deputy Director of the Government Communication Office said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro: “These numbers are misleading because the Guardian article included all deaths over the past ten years from residents of Qatar from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, however, contrary to what the newspaper claims, not every has worked. These people are on construction sites. This is a hypothesis that is very far from reality. People coming from these countries also include students, the elderly, office workers, retail companies, schools and hospitals.

He pointed out that Qatar: "It has more than 1.4 million expatriates from these countries. Only 20% of them work as workers in the construction sector, which represents less than 10% of the total deaths between 2014 and 2019," noting: "Over the past decade, There has been a steady decline in the death rate in Qatar, due to our health programs and improving safety at work. There are severe penalties, including prison terms, for business leaders who violate safety standards. "

He also affirmed that Qatar has made tangible progress in labor reforms and has demonstrated its commitment to continuing the process in cooperation with its international partners, noting that: “The International Labor Organization, as well as unions and non-governmental organizations, have acknowledged the occurrence of positive changes in Qatar, while we are aware that this process has not yet been completed. The labor reform agenda is long-term and the World Cup is a real catalyst for reforming our entire labor system. Over the past decade, Qatar has done more than any other country in the region to improve the living and working conditions of migrant workers. ”

In response, what recent reforms have been made to improve worker protection? He replied that the most important development is the dismantling of the "sponsorship" system, according to which workers were contractually bound by their employer. The worker no longer needs an exit permit to leave the country, and he can change his job as he pleases.

He added that in the last quarter of 2020, the new system contributed to more than 78,000 successful job changes, and on April 1, 2021, a minimum wage was established in Qatar, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, which will provide additional financial security for every worker in Qatar and their families. Abroad.

He continued: "On the health and safety front, we have raised standards. Outdoor work is prohibited during the hottest daylight hours during the summer, and new technologies have been introduced to keep workers cool when they are on site. Modern housing has been built across the country for workers," he added. The skills of labor inspectors were expanded on the eve of working and residency conditions. "

In the last quarter of 2020, more than 7,000 rulings were issued, ranging from minor offenses to more serious crimes that led to heavy fines and imprisonment. Change in work behavior will not happen overnight, but we are sending a clear message: Unless activity will not be tolerated. Legal. "

The Deputy Director of the Government Communications Office noted: “We have extended our agreement with the United Nations Labor Organization, the International Labor Organization in Geneva, which in 2018 opened an office in Qatar to support our labor reform program. These are valuable partnerships to help us achieve lasting reforms. The world is a catalyst for much of this progress in labor rights in Qatar. ”

Regarding the testimony of some non-governmental organizations that some workers were forced to borrow money from recruitment agencies in their countries of origin to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, he stressed that Qatar is fighting this exploitation and has opened visa issuance centers in the countries of origin of many workers, as these centers allow workers to sign their contracts and submit. For medical examinations before their departure, without the need to repeat the procedure upon their arrival in Qatar, and the employer bears all recruitment costs and related costs.

Qatar Stadium Worker for World Cup 2022

He pointed out that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar provided funds to companies to continue paying the wages and rents of migrant workers, adding: “We also have a system to ensure that salaries are paid in full and on time. This system requires Qatari companies to open bank accounts for their employees and transfer wages to them electronically. Companies that violate this system have a one-year prison sentence and a fine of ten thousand riyals that are doubled for each violation.Workers can also file a complaint against the employer if their wages are not paid, and these complaints are investigated by the Ministry of Labor, and if an amicable solution cannot be found. "The worker can raise the matter to a special dispute court, which will seek to solve the problem within three weeks."