Qatar demobilizes foreign workers to face economic crisis

CAIRO - 8 August 2017: Qatar is laying off foreign workers in three main fields, including hospitality, construction & shipping, following the Doha crisis with Arab countries, according to the Migrant Rights website.

Companies working in the above-mentioned fields asked their employees to take an unpaid leave for two or three months, as well as the annual leave which they regularly took advantage of.

Luxury hotels in Doha have forced their employees to leave on holiday because of the declining activity. While official figures say housing facilities are busy at 61 percent, other professionals estimate the figure to be much lower.

As Qatar imports most of the building material from neighboring countries, its construction sector was affected. Workers were sent on long leave and were told not to return two months ago, according to the same source.

Shipping companies were also affected due to the lack of work, given Doha’s shipping linkage with other companies in the GCC countries.

On June 5, a number of Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, cut all diplomatic and transport ties with Qatar over terrorist funding. Despite Kuwaiti attempts at reconciliation, there has been no breakthrough in talks after the four Arab countries announced a list of 13 requirements to restore ties. The requirements include ending terrorist funding, shutting down Al Jazeera satellite channel and curbing ties with Iran.