Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DOHA460
2008-06-26 09:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

QATARI PRIVATE COMPANIES CONTINUE ABUSING LOW-PAID

Tags:  ELAB PGOV PHUM QA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3652
PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR
DE RUEHDO #0460 1780951
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260951Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8012
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0197
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0339
UNCLAS DOHA 000460 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM QA
SUBJECT: QATARI PRIVATE COMPANIES CONTINUE ABUSING LOW-PAID
LABORERS

UNCLAS DOHA 000460

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB PGOV PHUM QA
SUBJECT: QATARI PRIVATE COMPANIES CONTINUE ABUSING LOW-PAID
LABORERS


1. (SBU) Summary: Over 400 Nepalese laborers were detained
May 29 by the Qatari Ministry of Interior's Criminal
Investigation Department (CID) over a labor dispute with
their employer, Trace Electronics. Despite legal protections
for foreign workers, this incident demonstrates that private
companies in Qatar continue to abuse low-paid workers without
fear of legal repercussions. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Nepalese workers employed by Trace Electronics
collectively submitted to their employer May 14 a written
request for salary increases and improvements to their
housing facilities. The laborers asserted that their living
quarters were in poor condition due to a shortage of working
toilets and air conditioners and generally crowded
conditions. The Nepalese workers also forwarded a copy of
their request to the Nepalese Embassy. On May 28, after
Trace Electronics, management failed to act on their
request, the Nepalese laborers went on strike, in violation
of provisions of Qatar's labor law governing strikes. The
following day, May 29, over 400 laborers were detained by CID
at the request of Trace Electronics.


3. (SBU) Following discussions between the Nepalese Embassy
and Trace Electronics, management, CID released June 3 most
of the detained employees. However, 33 Nepalese laborers,
presumably the leaders of the strike, remained in jail
pending their expected repatriation to Nepal despite their
expressed willingness to return to work under the terms of
their original contract. These 33 laborers are still
awaiting deportation as of this writing. The above events
are consistent with the standard resolution of labor
conflicts with Qatari companies. Striking laborers are
typically arrested and a majority of them released a few days
later once the strike leaders have been identified and
deportation proceedings against them initiated.


4. (SBU) Domestic workers of foreign origin in Qatar are
subject to abuse on an individual basis as well. On May 30,
for example, the Indian Embassy, working through the Indian
Community Benevolent Fund (ICBF),recounted two incidents of
domestic labor abuse to the Qatari government. Both involved
personal drivers, one of whom was physically assaulted by the
sponsor. ICBF, which provides care packages to detained
laborers facing deportation proceedings, has worked with the
Indian Embassy to bring to the host government's attention
other egregious cases. According to ICBF sources, only a
small number of cases of which it is aware are raised with
the Government of Qatar.


5. (U) The GOQ has begun taking action against companies that
violate labor laws. An article from the English-language
Peninsula newspaper, dated June 7, reported that the Qatari
Labor Department issued citations to 48 firms the week of May
18 for violations. Common violations were the withholding of
wages and failure to provide housing assistance to employees.
Employers in some instances were also cited for violating
health and safety regulations. According to the press
report, the citations are a result of increased inspections
by the authorities to ensure that local companies are
complying with labor laws. However, Qatari labor law does
not stipulate what penalties can be taken against cited
companies for labor law violations. According to the
Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, enforcement was carried
out under the direction of the Assistant Undersecretary of
Labor and resulted in hundreds of actions intended to force
compliance with labor laws. However, the legal justification
for the citations remains unclear, as do the details of what
sanctions were imposed on violating companies.


6. (SBU) Comment: Qatari labor laws grant workers a right to
strike only under very restrictive conditions that, in
practice, make it unlikely that a strike will ever be
considered legal, as was the case here. Nevertheless, from
time to time foreign workers stage ad-hoc strikes seeking
redress for grievances. The prohibition on labor committees
and unions in Qatar for anyone but Qatari citizens
exacerbates the problem, since there are no legal and viable
channels to address such grievances. Embassy Doha does not
intervene in cases of non-Americans, but we do raise unfair
and unlawful labor practices across the board with the GOQ in
an effort to promote lasting solutions consistent with
international norms and standards.
RATNEY