Migrant-Rights.org Newsletter

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Migrant Woes: Not Just A Health Crisis
As many Gulf states begin to re-open, migrant workers continue to bear the brunt of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our latest reports dive into individual experiences as well as the wide-ranging impact on the GCC's workforce.
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Home Is Where Your Employer Sees Fit ([link removed])

"The room is so small that some of us, on some days, opt to wake up a little later, to avoid the hassle. I mean, when you have to wait turns to make your bed, how big do you think the room is?" Noah recounts his lived experience with workers’ housing in Qatar.

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Editorials and Op-eds
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In the Gulf, migrant workers bear the brunt of the pandemic ([link removed])

In our op-ed for Al Jazeera, we urge Gulf countries to better protect migrant workers in their Covid-19 response.


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Op-ed: Moving forward, falling back: What’s in store in the new normal? ([link removed])

During the lockdown, while you were in the comfort of your home, still receiving your salary in full and going to sleep every night with a full stomach, many of the people you interacted with that day were forced to go on unpaid leave - By Abrar Alshammari
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Half a lifetime of toil and all that’s left is charity ([link removed])

Now in his 70s, Muneer Sahib’s story is that of thousands of other migrant workers who live in distress, denied their rights and wages.
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News Reports and Updates
* Authorities in Bahrain cut off water and electricity to labour houses ([link removed])
In a misguided effort to decongest overcrowded labour accommodations, Bahraini authorities have cut off water and electricity to 63 accommodations. This move puts workers at great risk.
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* Saudi Arabia allows businesses to reduce workers wages without consent ([link removed])
Amid the COVID-19 crisis, several Gulf countries are allowing businesses to modify or terminate contracts, force unpaid leave or reduce wages of the non-national workforce. The UAE, Oman and Qatar have all done so recently.
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* Saudi Arabia begins the 15th phase of WPS ([link removed])
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that it has started implementing the 15th phase of the Wage Protection System (WPS) as of 1 May 2020., wherein companies with 11 or more workers are now obligated to register with WPS.
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* UAE announces a full waiver on all visa fines for 3 months ([link removed])
According to a new order in the UAE, all residents with entry or residency permits that expired before 1 March 2020, will be exempted from paying fines if they leave the country after 18 May 2020. The order is valid for a period of three months.

* Qatar approves draft law amending some provisions of the Labour Law ([link removed])
Qatar’s state Cabinet has approved a new draft law to amend some provisions of the Labour Law. The draft law aims to improve the regulation of workers’ housing and increase protection for workers’ financial rights, including increasing penalties for employers who fail to pay workers’ wages.

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As the economy suffers, even profitable UAE companies leave employees in the lurch ([link removed])

Hundreds of Sobha Engineering and Contracting LLC employees owed months of unpaid dues are struggling for survival in the United Arab Emirates. This comes as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, in which long-standing labour issues are further aggravated and affecting some of the biggest companies in the region.


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Migrant Domestic Workers: A Conversation with Migrant Rights’ Vani Saraswathi ([link removed])

Associate Editor and Director of Projects Vani Saraswathi discusses the condition of foreign domestic workers amid the Covid19 crisis with the Institute of Human Rights and Business (podcast).


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Multilingual SMS campaign to raise awareness amongst domestic workers and their employers ([link removed])

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Domestic workers are vulnerable to increased health risks. Qatar has begun to send SMS messages to raise awareness about COVID19 precautions and support measures, and encourage best practices.
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Fund A Futoor Update ([link removed])

With the generous support of donors and individual contributors, we are so happy to report that we were able to provide 26,000 meals to migrant workers during Ramadan, and 2,500 additional meals on Eid.

Our relief work across the region continues as needs become more acute. All donations collected through our online portal will go directly to workers in need of food, housing, and other support.
Migrant-Rights.org ([link removed]) is closely monitoring the situation and updating our coverage regularly.

Follow us on Twitter @MigrantRights ([link removed]) for our latest news and commentary.

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