3 World Cup Employees, One Indian, 2 from Pak Remain in custody in Qatar Post Months of Claiming Unpaid Salaries

Detention and Sentencing of Security Guards

Several security guards who were detained during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar are still being held in the country, four months after their arrest. The guards were initially detained while trying to resolve a dispute over unpaid wages. An Indian national, along with two Pakistanis, has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined 10,000 riyals (₹2,20,000) each.

Unfair Termination and Demand for Release

The security guards, both Indian and Pakistani nationals, were hired by local private security firm Stark Security Services for the football tournament. However, they were unexpectedly sacked just days after the matches, despite having months left on their employment contract. This unfair termination has led to significant difficulties for the guards, including legal consequences and financial hardships.

Human rights group Equidem has demanded the immediate release of the detained guards, highlighting the disregard for their rights by FIFA, the organization generating significant profits from the event. The human rights body argues that these guards have become victims of FIFA’s negligence.

Treatment of Other Guards

In addition to the three individuals who were sentenced to prison, nine other guards were also affected by the unfair termination. Four of them were deported from Qatar, while the remaining five guards are still in the country, facing uncertain circumstances. These guards were let go before the completion of their employment agreements, causing further distress and uncertainty for their futures.

The Bus Incident and Subsequent Actions

The incident that led to the arrest of the security guards occurred on January 23 when a group of 200 guards, travelling in a bus, went to the headquarters of the security company to negotiate their unpaid wages. The company staff allegedly called the police, claiming that the guards were blocking the road. However, the guards maintain that only their leaders got off the bus, while the rest remained onboard.

The situation highlights the challenges faced by migrant workers and the need for fair treatment, adequate payment, and protection of their rights. It also underscores the responsibility of organizations like FIFA to ensure the well-being and rights of the workers involved in their events.