Engines of progress or machines of exploitation? Data centres and the fight for shared prosperity

As reported by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure in the Gulf region, including Qatar, has raised new concerns about labor exploitation. The report examines how the construction and maintenance of massive data centers—central to Qatar's economic diversification plans—often rely on the same vulnerable migrant workforce that built the World Cup stadiums. According to the publication, these workers face risks of wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and restricted freedom of movement. The report argues that while these technological projects are framed as 'engines of progress,' they may actually be 'machines of exploitation' if they continue to operate under the kafala system's influence. The Resource Centre calls for greater corporate accountability and transparency to ensure that the digital economy does not replicate the human rights abuses seen in the construction sector. The analysis highlights that the tech sector's reliance on low-wage migrant labor in Qatar creates a significant business risk and a moral challenge for international companies partnering with the Qatari state.