The harsh realities facing migrant workers in Qatar was at the centre of a discussion on Qatar Living after an Al Jazeera English report highlighted their plight recently.

The video zooms in on the lives of construction workers, whose livelihood was impacted by the economic crisis, some of whom haven't be paid for up to four months.

Salam kicks off the discussion on the above video saying:

Ugly reality, cannot accept it, but have to put it up with it, until the issue is addressed from the roots.
No excuse for injustice and cruelty. I wish I didn't watch the video.

Fishermanalex adds:

this is the dark side of the story
no fancy cars,no high class clothes no malls no hotel just hard work and no money

Salam retorts:

Even though this issue has been raised, by the media, several hundred times, but this is maybe the only pressing exposure, that will force this kind of aching slavery to an end. I hope I live to see it buried soon, once and for all!
Mind you, the world is suffering from enslaving in other shapes and forms.

Hagar thinks this problem is region-wide:

This goes on all over the Gulf. The workers at the bottom of the food chain have little recourse. To not pay them is, of course, illegal, but the State will not act against the companies in a timely manner. There is little the workers can do, even if they never get paid. People go to prison here all the time for not paying their debts. When do we ever here of a company owner or official going to prison for not paying their workers (although the crime here is greater).

And tallg notes his surprise that the Qatar-based Al Jazeera is tackling this issue:

The plight of workers not being paid is something we're all to aware of and not at all surprising any more. What is surprising is that Al Jazeera are reporting it.

Meanwhile, Cynbob is under the assumption that Al Jazeera‘s report will help solve those workers problems:

Bravo Al Jazeera—perhaps now, because of Al Jazeera's credibility here in this region, these laborers can get paid.
These companies need to stop “passing the buck” so that these people can receive their hard earned money.
Do the right thing. This is beyond pitiful. It is criminal.

Farafreeexpat adds:

I cannot believe for the life of me, that people who work round the clock in very harsh and unbearable weather conditions are not paid their meagre wages and still be be treated like this?! As less humans?! This is the height of INJUSTICE and what makes matters worse is the fact that the Labourers cannot collectively voice out their grievance, no voice, no union!!!!
Is there a reason why they should be treated this way? Aren't they human beings like every other man driving fast cars and spending thousands of Riyals in one night?
The earlier the media exposes this INJUSTICE, the better the whole world knows that there is a modernized version of slavery….. —-! World's richest country!

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