Employment crisis in Qatar, expatriate workers suffering

Many people have come to Qatar by spending huge sums of money hoping for a little happiness and good income. But the expected work is not coming, rather the expatriates have to bear various hardships including food and living problems. Qatar is one of the richest countries in the Middle East. More than 400,000 expatriate Bangladeshis work in the country.

On reaching the ground, the workers told about various hardships. Free visa workers are among those who are deprived of the expected benefits when they come to Qatar. These expatriate workers said that they have been staying in Qatar for about three to four months. Some have come to Qatar by spending four lakhs, some five lakhs. But their expectations have not been met, some have not got their job yet, some are not getting proper salary, some are being given a job and being fired without salary after a month. When contacting the companies, some give assurances, some do not pick up the phone again.

An expatriate named Suman Rahman (pseudonym) told, "I came to Qatar through a brother I know." After arriving, I stayed with my brother in Doha, Qatar. I used to get two meals. When it comes to jobs, I am told to be patient. After staying there for 3 months and 10 days, I was taken to a house. There, the people of the recruiting organization give 1000 Riyals (30 thousand in Bangladeshi Taka) and say that they should continue with this money. No more money will be given. When asked about the job, no response was received. I can't figure out what to do, who to contact.

Another expatriate Sujan Mia (pseudonym) said, I have been in Qatar for almost 4 years. Such a situation has never happened. We have been in this situation since the World Cup in Qatar. No work, can't pay room rent, no money for food. A kind of debt has to be carried on. Sometimes you get some work on contract but the price is very low.

He also said, the room where I live, there is no work in that room. Everyone is in great danger. I will go to the country, what will I do? I don't even have the money to pay for the plane ticket.

The affected expatriates said that they contacted the Bangladesh Embassy in Qatar for help but did not receive any response from there.

The Middle Eastern country of Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup. Due to which there was a lot of infrastructural development in the country. A large part of those workers were Bangladeshis. Currently, these expatriates have become unemployed and disoriented as there is not much work in Qatar.

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