Still Struggling: Migrant Construction Workers in Qatar During the Pandemic

This report uses Qatar as a case study to examine how the global public health crisis affected destitute migrants in the Middle East and how employers and the government responded. It also makes a series of reform recommendations that would promote human rights by improving workers’ economic and living conditions.

The report’s central findings are two- fold: After a slow start, the government of Qatar provided migrant workers with free, adequate healthcare in response to the pandemic. But foreign laborers suffered economically as a result of construction delays, wage reductions, terminated contracts, and deportations. The contrast between the government’s vigorous public health campaign and its failure to protect workers’ livelihoods is key. Qatar should address migrants’ economic needs with the same energy and resourcefulness illustrated by its efforts to stem the spread of Covid-19.

Still Struggling: Migrant Construction Workers in Qatar During the Pandemic- Zahra Kahn (NYU Stern School of Business), March 2022 DOWNLOAD

Human Trafficking for Labour Exploitation/Forced and Bonded Labour: Identification – Prevention – Prosecution; and Prosecution of Offenders, Justice for Victims

GuidanceGood Practices

This paper focuses on the specifics of labour exploitation, particularly the identification, prevention and prosecution of offenders with the final goal of preventing trafficking and bringing justice for victims. The text is based on the 3rd and 5th...Read More

TAGS: Due Diligence Global

Responsible Business Conduct in Times of War: Implications For Essential Goods and Services Providers in Ukraine

News & AnalysisGuidanceStandards & Codes of Conduct

Access to essential goods and services during war is critical. In many cases, people’s lives depend on it. The subject introduces many complex questions. What goods and services are essential in the war? Is it the exclusive responsibility of the s...Read More

TAGS: Europe

Crisis in Human Trafficking During the Pandemic

COVID-19 resourcesGuidance

Over the last few months, Polaris has been carefully tracking the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking. As part of this effort, Polaris has undertaken a systematic examination of relevant da...Read More

TAGS: Reporting North America

Sustainable fisheries and human rights: Opportunities to address the true cost of Thailand’s seafood

GuidancePublications

The fishing industry in Thailand fell under global scrutiny in 2014 for the significant human rights violations at sea. Personal stories of victims who had worked for years at sea with little food and constant physical abuse created enough global at...Read More

TAGS: Aquaculture & Fishing Asia