Foreign workers ‘enjoying’ the World Cup in Qatar
The World Cup has been made possible only because of migrant workers. Away from the bright lights of Doha, these workers are being shown matches in a stadium
Qatar could not have hosted the 2022 World Cup without its migrant workers. Some of these workers even lost their lives. The Asian Town Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of Doha was once again the center of activity when the Qatari team played their final match of the World Cup against the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Thousands of people were packed in this stadium. All of them were staring at the same big screen. Thus, many migrant workers are sitting in the industrial fan zone watching the World Cup. A 45-minute drive from Doha’s spectacular streets and skyscrapers, you won’t see any tourists in this area. This stadium is the sole empire of migrant workers
Qatar could not have hosted the 2022 World Cup without its migrant workers. Some of these workers even lost their lives. The Asian Town Cricket Stadium on the outskirts of Doha was once again the center of activity when the Qatari team played their final match of the World Cup against the Netherlands on Tuesday.
Thousands of people were packed in this stadium. All of them were staring at the same big screen. Thus, many migrant workers are sitting in the industrial fan zone watching the World Cup. A 45-minute drive from Doha’s spectacular streets and skyscrapers, you won’t see any tourists in this area. This stadium is the sole empire of migrant workers.
The Asian Town Cricket Stadium has the capacity to gather a large number of people
Every day thousands of people come here to watch World Cup matches. Majority of these fans are between 20 to 40 years of age. Most of them belong to India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal or Pakistan. Most of them participated in the construction of the infrastructure built by the host Qatar to host the World Cup. Some of these laborers even lost their companions on the way.
A different atmosphere from the center of Doha
The laborers were entertained with music that night as the host of the show invited some of them to the big stage to play a Hindi word game to loud applause from the crowd. Omna Ryan, 26, is a licensed electrician who moved to Qatar four years ago. He uploaded some footage of the event to his TikTok account, where he has over 2,000 followers. These photos and videos of life abroad have made him popular with his friends back home.
Ryan earns 1,200 riyals ($329) a month, most of which he sends back home to his parents. “The pay here is better than in Nepal,” Ryan told DW. That was the reason why I came to Qatar.
This is the situation of Ibrahim Ghazi, a 25-year-old construction worker from India. He, like many, could not fulfill his ultimate desire to attend a single game in person. “When I tried to buy tickets, they were sold out,” he said. Ghazi earns 3,000 rials ($797) a month.
On the other hand, Shams from India was among the lucky few who got tickets for the match. He has been living in Qatar for about 13 years. His family also lives here. He spent the equivalent of 60 euros for the match.
Shams says he helped build the country, “Why shouldn’t we be allowed to experience and celebrate the World Cup like the Qataris?” Shams Football Ground with distinctive FIFA branding. I run a decorated sandwich stall but alcohol is not served here. “No beer allowed,” Shams whispered from behind the counter.
Deadly but profitable work
The salaries quoted are not high by Western standards, but these South East Asians appreciate the salaries offered by Qatar. It is a place where they will earn more than their home countries and support their dependents.
Yet these jobs have also been a source of pain for many of their families. This week, the secretary-general of the Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy of the World Cup organizing committee, Hassan Al-Tawadi, admitted that between 400 and 500 migrant workers had died during the tournament.
The number was later revised to 414 deaths between 2014 and 2020. However, media reports put the death toll at over 6,500. Many migrant workers had to toil in unbearable conditions to prepare for the World Cup.
Al-Tawadi said that the scrutiny of the World Cup has led to improvements in employment laws, which have helped change attitudes towards migrant workers. He said that health and safety measures at workplaces have also been improved to prevent deaths.
But human rights groups have called on FIFA to compensate the affected workers and their families. Many of them are now unable to work due to ill health. Qatar, however, has rejected these efforts, saying all workers’ due salaries have been paid from its Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund.
Escape despite defeat
But the magic of football is that it can take you away from everyday challenges and worries and that has been the case throughout the tournament at the Asiantown Cricket Stadium.
When the football match is not in progress, various artists perform on stage. Tonight it was Indian actress Lindsay Rosario’s job to keep the audience engaged. “These are the people who built the stadium and that’s why Qatar is Qatar today, and it’s an honor for them to do it,” Rosario told DW. I’m here to make the moment special for them and to let them live in the moment and enjoy what they’ve done.”
Some of the audience braved the stage and danced to the Hindi music playing from the loudspeakers. While they were dancing, the others cheered loudly by clapping their hands. The same could not be said for the game, as many Qatari spectators left disappointed after the two-nil defeat. Hosts Qatar have lost all three of their group matches. “We love our team,” Ibrahim Ghazi said, “It’s sad but they (Qatar) are not very good at football.