Migrant workers in Qatar still waiting for unpaid wages two years after World Cup

As reported by The Guardian, thousands of migrant workers who were essential to the infrastructure of the FIFA World Cup 2022 are still struggling to recover millions of dollars in unpaid wages and benefits. According to the investigation, despite Qatari government promises of reform and the establishment of a 'Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund,' many laborers have returned to their home countries empty-handed. The source claims that the Qatari justice system has failed these workers, as court rulings in their favor often go unenforced because the employing companies have declared bankruptcy or simply disappeared. According to advocacy groups cited in the report, the 'Kafala' system's legacy continues to facilitate wage theft, as workers remain structurally disadvantaged when challenging powerful local employers. The Guardian reported that one specific case involves over 500 workers from a single construction firm who are collectively owed more than $2 million. Despite the high-profile nature of the World Cup, the report suggests that the international community's attention has shifted, leaving these vulnerable individuals without a path to restitution. Furthermore, the source notes that the Qatari authorities have been accused of 'greenwashing' their labor record by highlighting legislative changes that lack meaningful enforcement on the ground. According to the report, the lack of a comprehensive compensation fund for all workers—including those who suffered injuries or deaths—remains a significant point of international criticism. The article concludes that for many of the men who built Qatar’s modern skyline, the tournament was not a source of pride but a period of exploitation that has left them in deep debt.