Abstract
Violation of international labor standards is a common occurrence around the world. However, it is more prevalent and severe in states of the Persian Gulf and in the Middle East. Cases of severe violation of labor rights have been reported in Qatar. Qatar was named as the host of the 2022 world cup. Therefore, preparations are underway in the country involving construction of infrastructure for the event.
Migrant workers that are building the infrastructure are subjected to poor working conditions that violate their labor rights. The situation has been worsened by the kafala system that gives employers authority over their workers. It is important for the government and international labor unions as well as FIFA to intervene.
Brief summary
The article talks about the atrocities that immigrants in Qatar are facing as they work to develop infrastructure that will be used for the 2022 world cup games in the country. Qatar was a favorite among countries like the U.S, Australia, and Japan as the host of the 2022 world cup. According to Jim Murphy, the conditions under which migrant workers are working are inhuman and a violation of labor rights (Qatar World Cup-Stadium Builders Working in Sub-Human Conditions, 2014).
For instance, he cites the lure of big salaries that attracts migrants from countries such as Kenya and Bangladesh. Upon arrival in Qatar, employees take the migrants’ passports away (Qatar World Cup-Stadium Builders Working in Sub-Human Conditions, 2014). This makes it impossible for them to leave the country. Murphy states that the situation of the workers is embarrassing both to the football federation and to the mother country. He gives an example of a Nepalese worker who has been stuck in Qatar for a period of five years.
The worker is unable to leave the country because his passport was taken away by his employer. Murphy calls on FIFA, the Scottish FA, and the English FA to act and stop the violations of labor rights being perpetuated against migrants (Qatar World Cup-Stadium Builders Working in Sub-Human Conditions, 2014). He also calls on football fans to observe the happenings in Qatar keenly because these actions are likely to affect the game of football globally.
Personal opinion
The material covered in the article is an example of the many cases of violations of labor rights of workers around the globe. The issue is a critical one because it affects one of the most famous sports in the world. Football is one of the sports that are played in almost all countries of the world. Therefore, any event or occurrence that affects its state in one country affects its global embracement and acceptance by fans. One of the possible causes of the poor working conditions is unfavorable work policies that protect immigrants.
The kafala system monitors the activities of migrant laborers in various countries of the Persian Gulf (Lakhani & Yan, 2013). The statues of the system require all migrant workers to have a sponsor within the country. The sponsor is supposed to deal with all issues relating to their stay and working status while in the country. The main weakness of this system is the responsibility and privileges it gives to employers with regard to the welfare of migrant laborers.
Employers treat their laborers as they wish because of the inadequacy of the kafala system. On the other hand, Governments do not enforce the statutes of the system. This is one of the reasons why migrant laborers are working in sub-human conditions. The government is not responsible for the welfare of migrant workers. According to Amnesty International, Qatar is among the states of the Persian Gulf that are classified as slave states (Qatar: End Corporate Exploitation of Migrant Construction, 2013).
Another weakness of the kafala system that encourages the type of labor rights violations discussed in the article is the exit visa requirement. This type of visa requires the consent of the employer in order to allow a migrant laborer to leave the country (Lakhani & Yan, 2013). This provision gives employers an opportunity to mistreat their laborers. On the other hand, the system requires employer consent in order to change jobs, acquire a driver’s license, and rent a home in the country.
These provisions give employers freedom and authority to mistreat employees. It is unfair to give employers much freedom with regard to the fate of laborers because they are certainly motivated to act in their favor. Cases of misuse of these provisions have been cited in numerous cases.
For instance, amnesty International released a report that revealed that some employers force workers to attest to reception of wages as a requirement for issuance of travel documents (Shelley, 2007). It is easy for employers to do that because a migrant would do anything in order to receive their travel documents back. The story covered in the article reveals the poor state of worker unions and labor organizations in Qatar.
One of the ways in which migrant workers are mistreated is working under poor conditions. The case explored in the article is an example of the various ways in which migrants from poor countries suffer on the hands of their employers. One of the challenges that many people face in underdeveloped countries is poor wages. Foreign employers take advantage of this situation to promise unsuspecting workers high wages and high living standards.
After travelling to the host countries of their employers, the migrant laborers’ travel documents are taken from them (Qatar: End Corporate Exploitation of Migrant Construction, 2013). Unable to travel, they work for their employers for low wages and under poor working conditions.
These actions are overt violations of international labor standards that require employees to be treated humanely. Research has shown that unemployment, globalization, and poverty are the major factors that promote migration of workers from underdeveloped countries to foreign nations in search of employment (International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers, 2013). In addition, high rates of industrialization have increased the demand for labor in developed countries.
Two of the most important provisions of International Labor Standards are fair wages as well as occupational safety and health them (Qatar: End Corporate Exploitation of Migrant Construction, 2013). According to the International Labor organization, worker should be protected from health risks, diseases, and injury in their workplaces. However, the reality for workers in Qatar is different. The inappropriate conditions that they are subjected to are a violation of international labor standards (Shelley, 2007).
Migrant workers are protected by these standards in the same as every other worker in Qatar. It is important for the government to develop concern for the welfare of migrant workers because of their contribution to the growth of their economy.
For instance, the 2022 world cup will certainly contribute significantly to an increase in the number of tourists to Qatar as well as promote economic development. Migrant workers will play a big role in making the world cup a success through their services in building the infrastructure necessary.
Violation of the labor rights of migrant workers is common in different countries around the world. Low wages and poor working conditions are examples of factors that encourage forced labor and unlawful detention of workers (International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers, 2013). In order to solve the problem, the government should implement several recommendations. First, the government should prosecute abusive employers.
Employers fail to provide proper working conditions because the government does not care about the welfare of migrant employees. Second, it is imperative to repeal the kafala system. The system has several weaknesses that encourage violations of labor standards. For instance, the provision requiring employer consent for change of jobs or acquisition of a driver’s license should be abolished. Third, international labor unions should investigate the claims stated in the article and take necessary action.
It is wrong for workers to work under poor working conditions. Fourth, FIFA and other football unions should take action against Qatar and its football federation for allowing such violations of workers’ labor rights. The government should abolish provisions that give employers authority over their workers (International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers, 2013). In addition, it should implement labor standards and working condition in order to empower workers to leave inappropriate working conditions. It is impossible for migrant workers in Qatar to leave abusive work situations because their employers confiscate their passport and travel documents thus denying them the opportunity to leave.
The issue of labor rights violations has been debated for a long time. States in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf have been the main victims of these violations. Migrant workers from underdeveloped countries travel to foreign countries in search for employment opportunities. Poverty, unemployment, and poor living standards are the main reasons that promote migration of people to developed countries. However, the promise of high wages and high standards of living elude them once they land in foreign countries.
For instance, the migrant workers in Qatar work under poor conditions. The kafala system practice in the country encourages violations of labor rights. The system gives employers authority over their migrant workers. This encourages violations of international labor laws and standards. It is important for the government of Qatar to intervene in order to abolish exploitation of migrant workers and unfair treatment.
References
International Labour Standards on Migrant Workers. (2013). Web.
Lakhani, L., & Yan H. (2013). Amnesty international: Qatar Rife with Migrant Worker Abuse before World Cup. Web.
Shelley, T. (2007). Exploited: Migrant Labour in the New Global Economy. New York: Zed Books.
Qatar World Cup-Stadium Builders Working in Sub-Human Conditions. (2014). Web.
Qatar: End Corporate Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers. (2013). Web.