Human Rights Watch Reports Unpaid Migrant Worker Wages in Qatar Affecting Contractors and Workers

In a report issued in December 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed that Qatar has a systemic default of workers paying contractors in time, which has been a big problem to migrant workers and subcontractors. Government clients and major businesses delay payments up to a year despite 45-day contract terms, creating a “domino effect” of unpaid migrant worker wages. Thousands of foreign laborers who are the key to the construction and services sector are left jobless by this wage theft and have to pay recruitment fees and necessities in the face of high cost of living. HRW also calls on Qatar to go down supply chain and impose reforms beyond ineffective wage protection systems such as the Wage Protection System.​

Unpaid Migrant Worker Wages Crisis

Unpaid migrant worker wages stem from top clients’ impunity, with subcontractors unable to pay staff due to cashflow shortages. HRW reported instances of non-payment being the cause of court threats and lawsuits and protests by the workers, which threatened to get them deported. Asians and Africans migrant workers are the most disadvantaged since pay when paid stipulations fuel abuse.​

Impact on Contractors and Reforms

Non-payments put contractors in the position of insolvency, and transmit the shortfall to the workers either through deductions or at odd hours. HRW requests the implementation in Qatar of the Civil Code that provides the possibility of direct claims and increases minimum wage to QR1,000 (a quarter of $274). People should control the supply chains in order to eliminate participation in robbery.​

Official Social Media Update

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