Qatar detains workers protesting late pay before FIFA World Cup
PBS NewsHourDec 25, 2022
The Facts
Qatar reportedly recently arrested at least 60 foreign workers protesting outside the offices of Al Bandary International Group, a conglomerate including construction, hotels, real estate, and food services, among other enterprises.
According to the human and labor rights organization Equidem, police allegedly held the protesters in a detention center without air conditioning, despite temperatures this week reaching 41°C (105.8°F).
The Spin
Narrative A
Qatar has made some progress since its World Cup selection, but the oil-rich nation is still failing to provide its migrant workers with timely compensation and safe working conditions. Though it's too late to strip the country of its host status, the international community must use the upcoming tournament as an opportunity to call for labor reform.
Narrative B
Ever since the international World Cup organization chose Qatar as its 2022 host country, outside actors have singled the country out for criticism. The Arab Gulf nation has made immense progress in reforming its labor practices, and any reports of dangerous work conditions and deaths are baseless and have been deliberately overblown.
