Qatar: Domestic workers still face extreme abuse despite reforms

According to a recent report by Amnesty International, migrant domestic workers in Qatar continue to face extreme abuse, overwork, and degradation, despite the introduction of legislative reforms intended to protect them. As reported by the human rights organization, women employed as live-in domestic help are being pushed to a "breaking point" by a system that fails to enforce its own laws. The investigation reveals that the 2017 Domestic Workers Law, which was hailed as a significant step forward, remains largely a paper reform with little impact on the ground. Domestic workers interviewed by Amnesty described being forced to work between 14 and 18 hours a day, often without a single day off in months or years. The report alleges that the highly restrictive kafala (sponsorship) system still gives employers excessive control, effectively trapping workers in abusive environments. Allegations include physical and sexual violence, severe verbal abuse, and the systematic confiscation of passports to prevent workers from fleeing. Furthermore, the report claims that many workers have their wages docked or withheld entirely for minor perceived infractions, leaving them with no financial means to escape. Amnesty highlights that while Qatar has introduced a minimum wage and abolished certain exit permit requirements, domestic workers are often excluded from these benefits in practice. The organization asserts that Qatari authorities have failed to hold abusive employers accountable, creating a culture of impunity. Critics cited in the report argue that the lack of inspection mechanisms and the prohibition of trade unions for foreign workers leave domestic staff uniquely vulnerable to modern-day slavery.