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Migrant Workers in Qatar and the UAE

How are construction companies and hotel brands impacting the rights of migrant workers in Qatar and the UAE? We track company operations, survey their human rights performance, and empower advocates in civil society and business to address labour exploitation.

By The Numbers (January 2016 - September 2022)

These numbers are based on publicly reported allegations of labour rights abuse against migrant workers in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE), in which businesses are implicated. The actual numbers of incidents of abuse and affected migrant workers are believed to be higher.

513

Allegations

Publicly reported regarding migrant worker abuse by companies since Jan 2016

51.8k

Workers

Impacted in the documented cases

43%

Qatar

We've tracked 299 cases of abuse against migrant workers in Qatar

30%

UAE

We've tracked 214 cases of abuse against migrant workers in the UAE

Get the Data

From company surveys to contract awards, a lot of data sits behind each and every Resource Centre project. We make all of this information on companies involved easily discoverable to encourage further transparency and enable you to advocate for better standards.

As Dubai prepares for the EXPO, how are workers in the UAE impacted by labour abuse?

On 1 October the Dubai EXPO, a six-month international fair which expects to welcome 25 million visitors, will open in the United Arab Emirates. Our data shows migrant workers across the country continue to suffer severe and frequent labour abuse.

Wake-up Call: Exploitative recruitment risk to migrant workers in Qatar's World Cup hotels

What are multinational hotel brands doing to protect their migrant workers? Read our latest briefing

Briefing: COVID-19 & Risks to Migrant Workers in Qatar & the UAE

Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.