Welcome news from Qatar, but change must be genuine and fast

Commenting on plans announced in Qatar earlier today (Wednesday) that there are to be changes to the country’s much-criticised labour laws, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Thanks to the spotlight that international unions have shone on exploitation in Qatar – and the harsh and downright dangerous conditions that the country’s migrant workers are employed under – the Qatari authorities have at last acknowledged that if they are to host the 2022 World Cup things will have to change.

“The Qatari system of Kafala is nothing short of slavery and has no place in the modern age. Unfortunately it’s not clear from today’s announcement when the changes will come into force, nor is it clear what form they will take.

“Qatari employers with contracts to build the venues and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup have grown so used to this feudal way of working – where they can stop employees leaving the country – that they are not going to give up the power they have over their workers easily.

“The world must keep up the pressure on Qatar so that the country is forced to bring its employment practices and treatment of workers into the 21st century, and make meaningful changes that come into force soon.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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