Qatar ‘reassures’ India after Modi raises abuse of workers – ‘Labour reforms will improve conditions of Indian migrants’

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NEW DELHI, June 6, (RTRS): Qatar has reassured India that labour reforms will improve the conditions of more than half a million Indian migrants, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns of abuses during a weekend visit to the Gulf state, a statement said on Monday.

Qatar is home to 630,000 Indian nationals, the single largest group of migrants in the country of 2 million. Many work in low paid construction jobs, building stadiums and other infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup. Rights groups accuse Qatar of abusive labour laws and forcing migrants to work under poor safety conditions. Unions and labour protests are banned, and authorities penalise dissent with jail or deportation.

A joint government statement said Modi met with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Sunday and discussed the plight of Indian migrants. “The Qatari side briefed the Indian side on the reform in labour laws which would protect the interest of skilled and unskilled labour in Qatar,” said the statement issued by the prime minister’s office.

Modi thanked the Qatari leadership for “hosting the Indian community and for ensuring their continued welfare and safety.” Qatar is an important partner for India, with bilateral trade in 2014/15 exceeding $15 billion, according to the Indian government. It is also one of India’s key sources of crude oil.

During a two-day visit to the Gulf nation, Modi addressed a gathering of Indian labourers in Doha, assuring them he would present their concerns to Qatari authorities. “I am aware of the issues you are facing. I will talk about it when I meet the authorities,” Modi told them on Saturday. “If you have some issues on changing some laws and regulations, I can assure you that I will work with you all to bring about these changes.”

Modi’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of Qatar over the plight of migrants from countries such as Nepal, India and Bangladesh employed to build infrastructure as Qatar gears up to host the world’s largest sporting event.

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