Qatari labour policies under the scanner again
Qatar’s labour woes persist as over 400 Indians lost lives
Qatar’s labour policies have garnered immense dissatisfaction from around the world
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Over 450 Indian migrants have reportedly died in Qatar over the last two years.
Data reveals an average of almost 20 migrants passed per month, with the highest number being 27 in August 2013. 237 fatalities were reported in 2012, and another 218 in 2013 up to December 5.
The numbers were released as a response, by the Indian Embassy in Qatar, to a Right to Information (RTI) request.
On average about 20 migrants died per month, peaking at 27 in August last year. There were 237 fatalities in 2012 and another 218 in 2013 up to December 5.
Qatar’s human rights policies have come under the scanner in the last three months as various human rights and social groups have united in their criticism of the country’s labour practices.
As construction activity increases in the country preparing for the 2022 Fifa World Cup, migrant workers – who make up for most of the country and region’s labourforce – are gaining support from the international humanitarian community.
Amnesty International had said that workers were being treated like ‘animals’, as per a report by Gulf News. Fifa executive committee member Theo Zwanziger was reported as saying the World Cup could help improve the country’s “appalling” human rights record. A report by The Guardian claimed 400 Nepalese workers had lost their lives on-site in the country’s construction areas.
Following the global brickbats, Qatar announced, earlier this week, that it would rework its labour policies in a decision that was met with optimism; a Reuters report, however, criticised the country for paying no heed to reforming its existent Kafala system.
