Migrant Life in Qatar

Let’s call him ‘George’. In the 11-minute interview below, George, from Uganda, tells us about working and living conditions for many migrant workers in Qatar.

The first thing to understand is the hierarchy - as described to me by a variety of migrant workers from different countries. There must be exceptions, but here is the way that hierarchy has been laid out to me:

Qataris

People from other Gulf states

Westerners - some have top jobs in multinationals, so this group’s status can blur with the tier above.

South Asians - predominately Indian. Some, particularly from Nepal and Bangladesh, tend to have lower status jobs.

Sub-Saharan Africans - and this diverse group is itself divided into sub-categories, as described below.

Only 10% of people who live in Qatar are Qatari. Qataris hold the wealth and the power: they are the bosses. About three million non-Qataris do most of the work. For example, when visiting a large mobile phone provider, everyone working there in customer service is of South Asian origins - except for the boss, who, unsurprisingly, is a Qatari man (dressed in the ubiquitous Qatari ‘uniform’ of a long white thobe, as pictured).

While some sub-Saharan Africans - for example, I hung out with some Nigerians - can apply freely for a work visa, others can only enter Qatar through agencies who then hold said worker as an indentured labourer. Qatar’s government has contracted agencies to supply workers from impoverished areas, such as from within Uganda and Kenya. The pay is pitiful - but more than can be earned back at home. The supposed minimum wage of QAR 1,000 per month ($274USD) is honoured in theory only. Forced to sign a document that states that they receive a fair minimum wage, in reality these indentured work ten hours per day but get paid for eight. And ANY day off is deducted from their pay - so they are expected to work seven days per week for that $274USD per month. As George said, “Whoever raises a voice is terminated”.

Such workers, who may work in construction, security or as porters, are easily replaced. If they are sick, they are expected to work, otherwise their pay is deducted and, ultimately, they will be deported. You’ll hear about the whistle-blower, and, tragically, you’ll hear about what happened to George’s sick colleague.

At the end, I ask George, “If you were at home now, and if you knew about the conditions here in Qatar, would you still come?”

LISTEN HERE: