This is not an issue for blue collar workers only. It is accross the board, from professionals down to the lowest echelons. Also it is not a phenomenon found in private companies alone. It is everywhere, from Qatari national flagship energy companies, to all joint venture companies. In the name of "professionalism", people are encouraged to working longer hours for the "sake of the project", or to "get the baby out" or because some inefficient-lowest-bidder-contractor has been hired on the basis of a cheap deal and is dragging his feet, and the owner's employees have to work twice as hard to help him finish the work.
I also personally know other people who have been naive enough to travel all the way to Qatar on vague promises, to find out after arrival that they have to sign contracts for 60 hours/week for six days/week, for the same salary. Once you're here, it is very hard to refuse work and go home empty handed to family and friends.
This is not an issue for blue collar workers only. It is accross the board, from professionals down to the lowest echelons. Also it is not a phenomenon found in private companies alone. It is everywhere, from Qatari national flagship energy companies, to all joint venture companies. In the name of "professionalism", people are encouraged to working longer hours for the "sake of the project", or to "get the baby out" or because some inefficient-lowest-bidder-contractor has been hired on the basis of a cheap deal and is dragging his feet, and the owner's employees have to work twice as hard to help him finish the work.
I also personally know other people who have been naive enough to travel all the way to Qatar on vague promises, to find out after arrival that they have to sign contracts for 60 hours/week for six days/week, for the same salary. Once you're here, it is very hard to refuse work and go home empty handed to family and friends.