For several years, Amnesty International has followed and criticized the working conditions in Qatar where many migrant workers work under slave-like conditions on the construction of the arenas for the 2022 Soccer World Cup.
In the latest Alarm Report, the human rights organization writes that about 100 migrant workers who perform facade work on the Al Bayt arena worked without pay for up to seven months. A few days ago they should have been paid part of the salary, but large sums are still missing.
"They are worried about their families, who depend on the money they send home to pay such fees as school fees and medication," said Steve Cockburn, head of the department that handles economic and social justice at Amnesty, in a press release.
“The organizers of Qatar's World Cup have told us that they have been aware of the delays in wages since July 2019. This raises the question of why Qatar has allowed workers to continue working for months without pay. An Amnetsy investigation is not required for them to receive their salary. "
Qatar Meta Coats (QMC) has admitted financial difficulties. Right now the work on the arena buildings has been shut down due to the corona pandemic. And QMC has not renewed the work permits for its employees, which means that migrant workers can be detained or deported.