Qatar World Cup 2010 Civil Rights Issues (Essay Sample)

Qatar World Cup 2010 Civil Rights Issues
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Abstract
The construction of Qatar stadium in preparation for the 2020 world cup has attracted much uproar from international human rights bodies. It is accredited to the fact that most of the migrant workers in Qatar undergo harsh treatment. Moreover, they do not have their civil rights as a required of labor workers in the society. The issue of mistreatment include: Forced labor, indecent terms and conditions of work, poor housing among others
Key word: Mistreatment, civil rights, labor workers
Introduction
The labor workers involved in the construction of the stadium for the Qatar world cup 2020 stadium have no civil rights and are subjected to harsh treatment. There are 1.38 million foreigners who have been devoted to the construction sector. Majority of the migrant workers come from Sudan and south East Asia (Amnesty International, 2013). Moreover, the number is expected to rise owing to escalating construction demands. The major task for them involves evolving Doha from simple capital city into a regional and global city that can host an international event such as the one mentioned. Consequently, airports are being constructed; metro system& international railway system are on course too. The sewage system is also being revamped. The construction is one of the highest profile projects ever in Qatar. The migrant workers have therefore, been subjected to mistreatment. There is a discriminatory attitude towards foreign nationals who come in as labor workers. In fact, there is extreme exploitation of the migrant workers at the hand of the employer. Most of the employers are companies contracted to carry out the construction works. The following are some of mistreatments and demonstration how these migrant workers need civil rights.
Indecent terms and conditions
Research done by amnesty international indicates that migrant workers do not work along the terms and condition that were highlighted in the process of recruitment. First and foremost, most of the employees are subjected to extreme and forced labor beyond their ability. There is no protective measure in the work sites. In fact, there is need of corporate responsibility in ensuring the terms and conditions of the business are met. Nonpayment of wages is the highest form of complaint shown by most workers (Amnesty International, 2013). Those who are paid have to go for several months without the pay. The employers who have been contracted exploit the finances and get themselves richer. The workers on the ground have to wait for months before they can receive any form of pay. The method of recruitment is also unfair. They use the workers desperate state to quote a salary lower than that in their country. Expectedly, out of suffering, most workers give in to the offer. Most workers have in the recent past died due to industrial disease and poor working conditions. For instance, reports show that 44 Nepalese workers died mainly from cardiac arrest and workplace accidents. While, in most companies, workers are given medical cover, the migrant workers cannot access such services. In fact, the health facilities available are poorly equipped. They live in cramped unsanitary places. They go through excessive working hours. The female workers are vulnerable to sexual abuse. These cited examples is a sure illustration of the mistreatment that they go through
Khalafa system
It is a form of sponsorship system that is used by most migrants to get their way into the labor force of Qatar. In essence, it sticks a migrant worker to a sponsoring employer. While in the past, the system has been used as an effective tool for control of migration, it has been greatly abused by the employers. Most of the employers refuse to give exit visa to their employees. The employer can to impose impunity on his workers (Amnesty International, 2013). Owing to lack of the Visa, such employees are not able to move back to their countries. Research done by Amnesty international indicate that 90% of migrants do not have passport with them. Most employers also leave their workers undocumented exposing them to the risk of being. The Migrant worker is also not allowed to change jobs without foreknowledge if the previous sponsors. This permission is often referred to as ‘No objection certificate.’ In fact, any worker who leaves without the certificate is considered a criminal. The sponsors are also the ones responsible for the issue the migrant workers with the ID. The ID gives them an opportunity to access the basic services in the country. However, most employers deny their employees this ID leaving them to suffer.
Lack of civil Rights
Labor workers in Qatar do not have the freedom of expression. In other words, they cannot air their concerns. Qatar does not allow the migrant workers to form unions. Unions are important because they act as a guideline in exposing the freedom of workers. By denying workers of this right, Qatar has silently dumped any worker that could get vocal on the mistreatment that is happening. In addition, they are not allowed to go on strike or demonstrate. Strikes and demonstrations are tools used by most labor workers to air out the grievances that have not been met as agreed (Amnesty International, 2013). The workers are also faced with severe obstacles when seeking redress from their employer. In essence, they are slaves in waiting. In overall, their contract is below the standard set by the 2004 international labor organization domestic worker convention. Only Qatari workers are allowed to join trade unions. Conclusively, the right of freedom and association does not exist.
Labor courts
There is a set of labor laws that have been outlined to enable workers needs to be met. Failure to...