This briefing paper focuses on the theme of migrant workers’ rights in the Qatari construction sector and the associated risks and responsibilities for multinational construction companies along with their investors. The research is nested within a broader series of concerns about the sustainability legacy and long-term impacts that mega sporting events have on workers. In particular, the brief places strong corporate performance on human capital management in the context of a responsible approach to investing that is geared towards maintaining shareholder value and long-term sustainability.

Key findings [include]:

The lack of attention to labour rights in the Qatari construction sector is associated with clear operational, reputational and regulatory risks for investors. For example, any company operating in Qatar as of 2014 is in violation of the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, as Qatari law prohibits migrant workers from forming or joining a trade union of their choosing...