Qatar poised to boost up intake of foreign workers

DUBAI: Gas-rich gulf kingdom of Qatar appears poised to boost up its intake of foreign workers in an anticipated construction boom to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in what could come as a boon to Indian migrants.

"A huge demand of foreign workers, mainly labourers in the construction sector is expected as Qatar prepares for the global event," the Arabic Al Sharq daily reported yesterday.

India is the biggest source of labour in Qatar and a large number of businesses in the country are owned or run by Indians.

The report said the labour ministry has contacted public sector companies for their recruitment plans and other programmes in the next five years.

The move aims to help the ministry assess the country's overall needs ahead of the World Cup. Doha had pledged to build new football stadiums, including an air-conditioned island stadium with a capacity of 86,000 spectators, and renovate existing ones as part of its 2022 World Cup bid.

The massive construction work will require thousands of labourers who will be recruited mainly from Asian countries, including India.

Qatar is also set to add 50,000 hotel rooms to its existing accommodation and this could lead to a major construction boom attracting Indian workers in the process.