Manama: A media report on the condition of workers in Qatar has been referred to the judicial authorities for investigation, the Attorney-General and UN Special Advocate for Stolen Asset Recovery Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri has said.
“If any abuses or criminal liability are found, they will be thoroughly probed,” he said.
Addressing a workshop on ‘Financial Investigation and Asset Recovery’, in Doha, on Monday, Al Marri, also the chairman of the board of trustees of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Centre, said that the Guardian newspaper report mentioned that workers went to police stations to complain, but no-one recorded their complaints.
Al Marri suggested that the question should be directed to the workers themselves who are still in Qatar, a matter that will help the investigations, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
The Qatari official said he wondered why some of those quoted in the report were from countries that competed with Qatar to host World Cup 2022.
“In general, if there are any seeds of truth in the Guardian’s report, we will investigate and reveal the truth,” he said.
However, he warned that in case the report turned out to be fabricated, he would take all possible legal measures to hold those behind it accountable.
The attorney-general said that the Qatari authorities stood by the workers when they had a case, noting that there were 3,000 cases filed and won by workers from Nepal and Bangladesh against big companies.
“These cases proved that justice is served and that Qatar does not target workers,” he said.
On how long it would take to conclude the investigation, Al Marri told the QNA that the investigation might take months to complete.
The cabinet is looking into amending some of the legislations if they deem it necessary, he added.
