Reports from domestic workers and human rights organizations indicate that some employers in Qatar continue to bypass labor reforms introduced ahead of the 2022 World Cup. According to Qatar's Planning and Statistics Authority, there are approximately 160,000 foreign domestic workers in the country. While a 2017 law established a 10-hour workday and requirements for weekly rest, Amnesty International reports that these provisions are frequently unenforced, with some workers reporting shifts of up to 15 hours without days off.
Testimony from Filipino domestic workers in Qatar illustrates a range of experiences under the current system. One worker reported working seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and stated her employer had confiscated her passport, a practice prohibited under Qatari law. Another worker employed by the royal Al Thani family described her conditions as favorable regarding housing and amenities, though she also confirmed she worked every day without the legally mandated weekly day off.
In 2020, Qatar introduced a minimum wage and removed the requirement for workers to obtain employer permission to change jobs or leave the country. However, Migrante International, a support group for overseas workers, stated that many employees remain hesitant to report labor violations or mistreatment due to their financial dependence on the income. The Qatari government has maintained that its reforms are historic steps toward protecting migrant labor rights in the region.
Recruitment practices for high-profile households also remain under observation. Mary Grace Morales, a Manila-based recruiter, stated that households often request staff within specific age ranges and physical appearance criteria. While some workers expressed satisfaction with the financial ability to support families abroad, legal challenges have emerged elsewhere; in 2019, three former employees filed a lawsuit in New York against members of the Al Thani family, alleging unpaid overtime and excessive working hours.