Over 600 Indian construction workers are stuck in Qatar after they lost their jobs, were denied salaries and their visas have expired, according to workers and official communication. According to a report by Hindustan Times, they have also been living in sub-standard conditions?in labour camps.?
Qatar has been facing flak over the plight of migrant workers involved in other construction work for the infrastructure required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.?
An Indian official said nearly 300 of the workers have been provided work in other companies while some have been brought back, but those affected accused that there has been no word on the salary after having worked for eight to ten years.
Also Read:?FIFA In Big Trouble As It Gets Sued For Poor Treatment Of Qatar World Cup Workers
Ever since the leading firm in Qatar HKH General Contracting Company which employed 1200 workers, have fallen into crisis, the construction workers have seen tough times.?
¡°We are now left to the mercy of people who help us on a charitable basis for food. We do not even have electricity in the daytime, but just about manage to get generators running in the night,¡¯¡¯said S Kumar, who is from Kerala and worked for the firm for eight years. He said he had not been paid for last six months.
?A plumber told HT that he worked for the company for nine years and now he and many of his likes have no option, but to wait. ¡°I cannot even go to a hospital for the fear of getting caught as my visa has been expired,¡± he said on condition of anonymity.
¡°I had to borrow money to arrange for my flight back home. I feel hopeless. I pawned my property to come here two years ago. This is what life has given me here,¡¯¡¯ said another worker.
AFP
The Indian Embassy took up the matter with the?company but no action has been taken yet.
Subsequently, the embassy approached Qatar¡¯s administrative development labour and social affairs ministry.? ¡°The ministry has assured us all humanitarian assistance,¡¯¡¯ said an Indian official.
The embassy again wrote to the company on May 5 reminding it of the non-payment of salaries. Kerala principal secretary took up the matter to the embassy on May 29. Jarnail Singh, a worker, said, ¡°What we want are our dues. Governments ¨C state or Centre ¨C say they are working on the issue. For us, its struggle of last six months and uncertainty about our future.¡±
Though there has been no response from the external affairs ministry, the official told that mission and Indian community in Qatar is helping these workers with the?supply of essential goods and food.?
¡°We continue to work to resolve the status of others.¡±
Reuters
In a July 12 letter to George, the Indian embassy said over 200 workers ¡°have had their visa transferred to other companies and nearly 45 half left for India (out of which 14 airfares were given by the mission).¡±
The Indian mission is also working with Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines to provide relief to the people.? An official also informed that Qatar recently announced Support Fund to clear dues of workers of distressed companies.?But it is yet to become operational.