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Concerns on the labour conditions of migrant workers at companies in Qatar owned by Balfour Beatty and Interserve have been raised by Stephen Lines, FCIOB and Past President for CIOB Middle East.
Lines was a coordinator of the CIOB’s 2015 report – Modern Slavery: The dark side of construction – which highlighted the prevalence of human rights abuses in construction and was aimed at encouraging CIOB members worldwide to recognise their professional and corporate responsibility.
An update of the report is due to be published in late June or early July, alongside a guidance “toolkit” created by the CIOB to help organisations become more socially responsible.
Earlier this week, a Guardian investigation accused two of the UK’s largest construction companies of abusing the employment rights of migrant workers labouring for their local joint venture companies.
The Guardian reported that labourers on large-scale construction sites operated by BK Gulf, co-owned by Balfour Beatty, and Gulf Contracting Company, co-owned by Interserve, allege they have been exploited and mistreated by the labour hire companies used by the contractors to supply sites in Doha with cheap manual workers.
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The alleged abuses include erratic or reduced payment of wages, passport confiscation, workers entering employment with high levels of debt bondage, and pay levels below those agreed when workers were recruited in their home countries.
Workers interviewed by The Guardian spoke of a culture of fear and intimidation, with threats of arrest or deportation if they stepped out of line.
Stephen Lines, a part president of the CIOB in the Middle East, and an outspoken champion of ethical practices in construction employment, said that he was unconvinced by the contractors’ assertions that they had ensured high standards among the labour supply companies they use.
Lines, a senior commercial manager for Qatar Rail, told Construction Manager: “I can’t go along with what Balfour Beatty and Interserve have done, it is their responsibility as a British-based employer to ensure their workers are treated properly. There’s no reason why people have to be housed in filth, not paid properly and just mainly mistreated.”
Eddie Tuttle, principal policy and public affairs manager for the CIOB said: “Many industries are grappling with human rights abuses. Given the complexities of procurement in our sector, this issue demands cohesive action for entire supply chains. Every party has a role to play, from clients and investors to subcontractors, materials suppliers and labour agents.”
“CIOB is working on an industry-wide paper, to be launched this summer, which explores how we can move forward together. Change will come slowly if we tackle these issues on a case by case basis. Collectively, we can make a deeper and longer lasting impact.”
“I can’t go along with what Balfour Beatty and Interserve have done, it is their responsibility as a British-based employer to ensure their workers are treated properly. There’s no reason why people have to be housed in filth, not paid properly and just mainly mistreated.”
Stephen Lines FCIOB
Lines said that, at the end of the day, the onus of responsibility fell on the parent company. “Irrespective if the problem comes from a subcontractor, sub sub or so on, it is the responsibility of Balfour and Intereserve.”
Responding to The Guardian’s report, a Balfour Beatty spokeswoman said: “BK Gulf WLL, in which Balfour Beatty has a 49% share, provides conditions for its workforce which go over and above local regulations and laws.
“Where workload exceeds our directly employed workforce capacity or where specialist skills are required, BK Gulf utilises a selection of labour supply companies. BK Gulf requires all of its labour supply companies and subcontractors to meet a selection criteria and code of conduct which includes requirements around operative working conditions.
“The company actively monitors its supply chain to ensure these standards and criteria are being met. BK Gulf takes the claims made by The Guardian very seriously and as a result is currently undertaking a review with the labour supply companies it works with to ensure our standards are being met.”
A spokesman for Interserve said: “We are committed to supporting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of our employees in Qatar and will terminate contracts with any subcontractors or suppliers that fail to meet our required standards.”
Speaking about this own experiences in the region, Lines said: “At Qatar Rail, all of our main contractors have built bespoke accommodation for their labour. Besides that, we regularly check and maintain the treatment and conditions for our workers. Currently we’re 83% compliant, but the other 17% are companies and subcontractors who are under review and have to improve or they’ll be scrapped.”
Lines concluded: “There has been lots of improvements generally in the region, new labour laws and other updates have been made. It will take time for everything to filter through.”
The Guardian’s report echoes claims made in December 2014 by a BBC investigation over the conditions experienced by workers employed by Carillion’s subcontractors in Qatar.
