Move to strike better deal for expat workers

Construction workers’ living and working conditions are the focus of a study which will come up for discussion at a seminar
The academic team that conducted a study on the working and living conditions of construction workers in Qatar will organise a seminar and a regional workshop to discuss its findings.
A spokesperson for the team said the seminar’s purpose was to formulate solid and sound recommendations in order to improve legislations and thereby conditions of expatriate workers in Qatar and the region.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday during which they released the findings of their study, Dr. Unsor al- Ayashi, a social studies specialist and member of the team, said the survey could be used as a basis for labour affairs management and to improve the sponsorship system.
“It is the first scientific study of its kind,” Dr. Kaltham Ali al- Ghanami, leader of the team, said while explaining the methodology employed by the group.
Answering a question, she said they would consider adding to the recommendations the need to determine the minimum wage for workers.
The study, sponsored by the National Human Rights Committee, describes some cases of treatment faced by the construction workers in Qatar as a sort of human-trafficking and called for amendments in labour legislations.
The study revealed that those engaged in building, excavations and concreting worked in very difficult conditions such as high temperature and high humidity. “Some of them work without sufficient safety procedures, healthcare or nutrition.”
According to the team’s findings, a considerable number of them developed different kinds of diseases. In 2009 more than 850 companies were suspended from work by the law enforcement inspectors of the Labour Ministry because they did not comply with the labour law requirements concerning working and living conditions.
The report also said that the team found more than six workers living in one room. “About 45% of construction workers were forced by their sponsor (managers) to do additional tasks that are not stated in the work contract; 34% of them do not receive any wages against these additional tasks. Detained workers who wait for eventual extradition pay a fees between QR300 and 500 for lawyers to represent them in courts.”
The study said this payment was illegal. The labour law stipulates that such cases shall be settled urgently and free of any charges.
With regard to low wages received by the construction workers, the study showed that 30% of the total number of workers earned less than QR800. More than 99% earn less than QR2,000. Some 13% of the total number thinks seriously to abandon work.
The most frequent complaints of workers are related to delay in getting wages and travel tickets. There are 4,211 complaints in this regard reported during the period from January to August 2009.
According to the report, the survey’s results were impacted by the developments following the economic boom such as the creation of mega construction companies, each of which may be owned by one person, who becomes a sponsor for thousands of workers.

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