By Rod Sweet

Portrayal of Qatar workers’ plight “much blacker” than reality, say contractors

Contractors in Qatar have criticised media and human rights group Amnesty International for using selected cases of the mistreatment of migrant workers to paint a picture that is “much blacker” than reality.

A unique conference for international construction professionals got under way in Doha this week. Organised by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), its dominant theme was migrant workers’ rights. 

It kicked off with the signing of an agreement between the CIOB and the Qatar Foundation* pledging support for the latter’s rigorous (though voluntary) welfare standards.

Then Amnesty International took to the stage. Its representative, James Lynch, reiterated the findings of a November 2013 report that found instances of workers being paid less than they were promised, of having their pay delayed or withheld altogether and of being housed in “squalid” conditions.

Lynch said contractors routinely passed responsibility for workers’ welfare to subcontractors, who were “quite blasé” about the issue. He said that “many” workers were suicidal, and so were family members back home who faced the stigma of having a male relative working in the Gulf but not sending money....Continue Reading

> via globalconreview.com