“We work like robots”: Discrimination and Exploitation of Migrant Workers in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Hotels

Report Cover Image: "We Work Like Robots" Discrimination and Exploitation of Migrant Workers in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Hotels, cover title in white text over blue background, with hand dranw image of workers in Qatar

Publication Date: 

July 28, 2022

Author: 

GLJ-ILRF and Equidem

Migrant workers from Africa and Asia employed at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 hotels[0.4] have been subjected to serious labour exploitation and human rights violations. Investigations by Equidem and GLJ-ILRF between February 2020 and July 2022 documented significant labour and human rights violations at 13 out of 17 of FIFA partner hotel groups.

In this report, women and men from Africa and Asia working at Qatar World Cup hotels describe - in their own words, the sexual harassment, nationality- and gender-based discrimination, wage theft, health and safety risks, sudden loss of employment, and illegal recruitment charges they faced in their work. The legal and governmental context fuels these rights violations: Workers are denied the fundamental right to associate, subjected to intensive surveillance and employer control, and fear retaliation-including employer-instigated deportation - for defending their rights and interests.

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