Six months after the memorable Qatar World Cup finals, the plight of Shakir Ullah, a security guard from Pakistan, has largely been forgotten.
Ullah, who worked during the tournament, is currently imprisoned in Qatar for attempting to resolve a dispute over unpaid wages on behalf of his fellow workers.
The men, employed to guard key sites during the World Cup, were abruptly laid off after the final, in violation of Qatar’s labour laws.
Approximately 250 of them were detained and later deported, while Ullah and two others remain in prison.
Ullah received a six-month sentence and a fine that exceeds his earnings for three months of work at the World Cup. Despite his appeal being rejected, neither Fifa nor the Qatari government has offered any assistance or comment on his case.
The promises made by Qatar and Fifa regarding improved workers’ rights have proven empty.
The silence surrounding the mistreatment and imprisonment of these men is concerning.
Fifa, with its substantial earnings from the World Cup, has remained silent despite being aware of the situation for months.
The Qatari government’s communications office has also failed to respond to requests for comment.
The World Cup organising committee, known for highlighting progress in workers’ rights, has nothing to say regarding Ullah’s detention, The Guardian reported.
Even the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) in Doha, which has collaborated with Qatar on labour reforms, has remained silent. It is worth noting that the ILO’s office in Qatar has faced criticism for being overly optimistic about labour reforms in the country.
Trade unions, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), have failed to speak up for Ullah.
Despite working alongside Qatar for years, they remained silent when it came to defending the rights of workers like Ullah. Fifa, the ILO, and the trade unions have often claimed that Qatar has made progress, adding that more needs to be done.
However, such statements offer little solace to individuals like Ullah who find themselves in uncertain and challenging circumstances.
Fifa stated that workers should be free to voice their concerns and that due process should be guaranteed for anyone accused of wrongdoing.
The BWI, on the eve of the ILO conference, highlighted the exploitation and abuse of migrant workers in Qatar and submitted a critical report to the labour minister.
In response, the minister agreed to discuss the issues raised at a meeting in July. However, the overall lack of action and silence from relevant organisations and authorities remains a glaring concern for the well-being and rights of workers – and the rights of Shakir Ullah.
Compiled by staff writer
Pictured above: Qatar World Cup
