Criticized since being awarded the first World Cup in an Arab country in 2010, Qatar has carried out major reforms, abolishing the sponsorship system making employees quasi-properties of their employer and establishing a minimum wage hourly.

In addition to the construction sector, in which the British daily The Guardian spoke of "modern slavery" in 2013, working conditions have been improved in services, particularly the hotel industry.

"But these promises have not yet fully materialized in the security sector", estimates Amnesty International in a report, while thousands of agents must be recruited by the World-2022 from November 21 to December 18, when between 1.2 and 1.4 million people will visit the emirate.

Thirty-four employees, current and former, of eight private security companies, migrant workers mainly from Kenya and Uganda, describe working days of more than twelve hours, seven days a week (or 84 hours a week). ), sometimes without shade or drinking water in the warmer months.

However, Qatari law provides for a maximum of 60 hours of work per week and one day of rest, the minimum set by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

"You can't complain"

Anne LEVASSEUR AFP/Archives

Those who take this leave or sick leave "risk (...) arbitrary deductions from their wages", says Amnesty International, which also denounces fines for breaks taken during the day and insufficiently paid overtime.

Without the legal possibility of being defended by a union, "you cannot complain, otherwise you are fired and expelled", comments one of the employees interviewed between April 2021 and February 2022.

Working conditions and wages also vary by origin, with workers from sub-Saharan Africa being the most mistreated, say security guards, many of whom add that they have lived in "overcrowded and unsanitary" accommodation.

“Qatari laws on (their) working time are clear but too often violated,” confirms the ILO.

"Overtime is permitted but must be voluntary, limited and better paid, as the law stipulates."

"While the government has a responsibility to uphold the law, clients who hire security companies must also do the necessary checks and monitor the guards' treatment, including their working hours and living conditions," reminds the organization.

The migrants interviewed have notably worked for companies involved in FIFA tournaments in Qatar, the Club World Cup and the Arab Cup in 2021.

"Punitive measures"

“Unfortunately, three companies were found not to be in compliance in a number of areas,” admits the Supreme Organizing Committee of the World-2022 in a press release, following the publication of this report.

These violations "led to the application of a series of measures, including the placing under surveillance or blacklisting of certain providers (...) before reporting them to the Ministry of Labor for further investigation and punitive measures ".

"Qatar took immediate action to address specific instances of wrongdoing," the ministry said.

“The prevalence of companies breaking the rules has and will continue to decline,” he said.

Thus, according to the Supreme Committee, 391 service providers were reported to the ministry, 50 banned from working on projects related to the World Cup and 56 demobilized, 226 were placed under surveillance and 7 "blacklisted".

The Department of Labor, which "encourages foreign workers to complain when they suspect a law has been broken," says 24 recruitment agencies "were closed and had their licenses revoked last month."

It also specifies that 96% of “eligible workers” are now protected thanks to a system put in place at the end of 2015 to control the payment of wages.

© 2022 AFP