Qatar World Cup Migrants Issue Misused

Against Tangible Progress

As the sphere of football is rolling closer towards the 2022 FIFA tournament, Qatar World
Cup migrants are being made a major issue. Millions of soccer fans and various professional
footballers will soon be visiting the small Peninsula nation, which was announced as the host
country for the upcoming football tournament in December 2010. However, the uncertainties
have chosen to loom over the event now, after majority of the time has passed.

In the past decade, Qatar has crossed several ups and downs— from the blockade by its Gulf
neighbours to human rights issues raised against the country. Being an absolute monarchy,
the Arab nation had to make a number of changes to meet the global standards and that of the
football federation. The major focus, however, has been kept around the Qatar World Cup
migrants.

International media and human rights organizations have often targeted Doha for the
treatment of migrant workers, stating that their rights are violated. All such claims were
crushed by multiple initiatives that the Qatari authorities took to ensure safe and ideal
working conditions for the labourers. Collaborating with the United Nations’ body, the
International Labour Organization (ILO), Qatar has been ensuring to regularly review
workers’ rights and conditions.

Authorities also prohibit the Qatar World Cup migrants from undertaking outdoor operations
in the daytime during the harsh summers. There have also been measures to incorporate
cooling areas at the working sites, for which the country has been making technology
investments. In fact, Qatar has been the only Middle Eastern monarchy to alter some of the
most criticized sections of its labour system.

The Qatari government first abolished a part of its Kafala system, under which the workers
were required to obtain an exit permit to leave the country. Months after, the country
introduced a new law, under which the employees do not need to take permission of their
employers to switch their jobs. The ILO said that the new law, following these two
significant changes, “effectively dismantles the ‘Kafala’ sponsorship system”.

In addition, Qatar World Cup migrants and other workers were also provided with financial
support. Authorities introduced an increase in the monthly minimum wage, under which
employers are bound to pay the basic wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals ($275). Besides, employers
would also have to pay allowances for food (QAR 300) and accommodation (QAR 500), if
they do not provide it to the workers directly. The law probably benefits over 400,000
workers in the country.

Despite these remarkable modifications, the Arab nation continues to face denunciation.
Misleading media reports have even prompted some of the football players to protest against
the treatment of Qatar World Cup migrants, which has only improved with time. Critics have
claimed that the country is a target to political agendas and even racism, as no previous host
of the FIFA tournament faced boycott calls despite committing grave human rights
violations.

Being the first Arab nation to host the event, Qatar is possibly also getting an opportunity to
enhance its laws as per both national and international interests. While FIFA would be a
positive milestone for Qatar, the built-up pressure for a boycott would likely restrain it from
happening.