“I haven’t eaten anything in two days,” says a Guinean employee presently in Qatar.
Another employee says that he’s asking individuals to pay him to return dwelling. According to a report in The Guardian, 100 days after the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup, migrant staff in Qatar are struggling to search out work.
Those who’ve ‘free visas’ – a number of of whom The Guardian spoke to – underneath which they’ll discover jobs, haven’t had the chance to work for months.
“Ironic, isn’t it?” Says an activist. “We are in the richest country in the world, but we are begging for money from Africa.”
There are additionally staff who enter the nation on Hayya playing cards, requiring permits to go to Qatar in the course of the World Cup. According to The Guardian, the validity of the cardboard has been prolonged until subsequent 12 months however it could solely be used for tourism. Some staff paid brokers round $4,500 to acquire Hayya playing cards and have been promised jobs upon reaching their World Cup locations.
“I used to eat three meals a day at home but even one is hardly available here. I am calling friends in Nigeria to help me. I haven’t earned a single Riyal since I entered the country. We have all regretted coming here,” says Hakim, one other activist.
“I need to go dwelling, however I do not need to go dwelling. The cash I owe is maintaining me right here, mentioned Ahmed from Nigeria.
Job alternatives for migrant staff are unlikely to extend, in response to a supply who spoke to The Guardian.
“There’s actually no work right here anymore. No one is hiring. “They only have so many highways and roads that they need,” mentioned a supply engaged on the development line in Qatar.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino mentioned earlier than the beginning of the World Cup that migrant staff deserve respect and dignity.
Infantino mentioned, “When we talk about this topic one thing must not be forgotten, which is work, even hard work, hard work.” “America is a rustic of immigration. My mother and father additionally moved from Italy to Switzerland. Not but, however nonetheless. When you utilize somebody even in tough circumstances, you give them respect and dignity. This charity Not there.
As The Guardian experiences, lots of the affected staff are from West Africa – Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Niger.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
