Trapped: Domestic workers in Qatar describe 'modern-day slavery'

The Guardian reports that domestic workers in Qatar, primarily women from the Philippines, Kenya, and Ethiopia, are facing extreme forms of abuse that many advocates describe as 'modern-day slavery.' According to the report, these women are often excluded from the labor law protections that apply to other sectors. As reported by The Guardian, common abuses include working 100-hour weeks, the confiscation of passports, and the denial of food and medical care. The report alleges that many domestic workers are physically and sexually assaulted by their employers but have no way to escape due to the lingering effects of the Kafala system. Furthermore, the source claims that police often return runaway workers to their abusive employers rather than offering protection. The investigation highlights that Qatar’s recent labor reforms have largely failed to reach the private household sector, leaving tens of thousands of women vulnerable. The Guardian notes that the 'absconding' law is still used to criminalize workers who leave their jobs without permission, effectively trapping them in abusive environments. Critics in the report argue that Qatar's failure to protect domestic workers exposes the superficial nature of its human rights claims on the world stage.