Gulf’s Foreign Workers - A Tragedy Unfolding?
I was interviewed recently for the Media Line and was asked questions concerning migrant workers in the Middle East and how/why we’re trying to help them through our website.
You can listen to it below.
This is an excerpt of the associated article:
A-Shafe’i’s words are echoed by Khawla Mattar, a senior specialist on employment principles and rights with the International Labor Organization (ILO). It is obvious that the treatment of these workers is not up to standard; there is no protection of their rights at all, says Mattar.
Mattar and A-Shafe’i agree that better legislation is required. There is little legal protection for foreign workers in the Gulf, which makes abuse more likely, says Mattar. However, while Mattar maintains that some governments are beginning to take the matter seriously, A-Shafe’i thinks the problem is mainly ignored.
Some countries, such as Bahrain, are growing increasingly aware of foreign workers’ needs, says Arindam Basu of The National Human Rights Committee in Doha, Qatar. Since Bahrain began running short of oil revenues it has been forced to pursue a more progressive labor policy, he argues. But, at the other end of the scale, are countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which still enjoy huge oil revenues and are less pressured to accommodate foreign workers, he points out.
Basu agrees that the situation regarding legal representation in Qatar is as A-Shafe’i describes. Most disputes over working conditions are ruled in the lower courts and the only participants are the plaintiff with or without a translator, the defendant, and a judge. Here too, lawyers are only involved if a serious crime is committed.
Read the full article here.
[Since this podcast has moved to this new site, the podcast’s comments were previously listed here.]
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Beautiful. I’m proud to know you.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:18 pmVery good interview, Esra’a. It’s nice to be able to put a voice to a name.
It also says a lot about you, that you show concern for those whom others would rather ignore. If only more people followed your example. Therein lies the hope for mankind.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:40 pmEsra’a
You inspire me lady.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:40 pmThank you for being Esra’a
Wow! But it is cheaper than outright slavery isn’t it? If an unscrupulous employer can “con” workers into comming, and not pay for housing, medical attention and food, the cost outlay for manual labour workers is way cheaper than paying for the upkeep of an actual slave. Illegal mexican immigrants are treated much the same way, except the government in the USA pays for many freebies to make their life easier and my taxes go up, and up, and up.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:14 pmIt makes me happy and excited to see such a well accomplished and well spoken young lady from the region who is this hard working and confident.
Thank you Esra’a for everything that you do. You amaze me more and more each day.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:40 pmfriend of someone here who kept pushing me too come here and after hearing this podcast I totally understand why…
January 25th, 2008 at 12:41 pmthank you for doing this
some people dont realize that they are equally human too
Potent and concise!.. really good to hear you Esra’a.
Raising awareness will always be a struggle but you continue to be inspiring.. thank you..
January 26th, 2008 at 12:41 pmThanks a lot for the support.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm