LESSONS
FROM QATAR
Like
many people living in the Western world, my own conceptions of the Oil Rich
Gulf states were not very favourable, because of what the Media portrayed as
feudal societies. Around 5 years ago, I began flying Qatar Airways on my way to
Malaysia and Indonesia.
I
noticed that service orientation has been taken to a higher level and as I
began to talk to the guest workers in Qatar, a different picture began to
emerge. The workers began to recount tales of how Qatar, in many cases Qatar
Airways, have made to their lives and the lives of their families.
Qatar
has only a population of 300 000 but they have found an ingenious way to
improve their lifestyle and also those of nearly 2 million guest workers from
around the world, but mainly from Asia.
|
Nationality
|
Population
|
Percent of total*
|
Data recency
|
|
India
|
650,000
|
25.00%
|
Dec 2016
|
|
Nepal
|
>350,000
|
13.50%
|
Jan 2017
|
|
Qatar
|
313,000
|
12.10%
|
Jun 2016
|
|
Bangladesh
|
280,000
|
10.80%
|
May 2016
|
|
Philippines
|
260,000
|
10.00%
|
Jan 2017
|
|
Egypt
|
200,000
|
8.60%
|
Feb 2015
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
145,256
|
5.60%
|
Dec 2016
|
|
Pakistan
|
125,000
|
4.80%
|
Oct 2016
|
During
the months of August and September 2017, I visited Qatar three times and stayed
at
Marriott
Marquis Hotel
Ritz
Carlton Hotel
Souq
Wakif Hotel
Hilton
Doha Hotel .
On
earlier visits I had stayed at Shangri La Hotel, Oryx Rotaana Hotel, Westin
Hotel as well as Movenpick Hotel.
As
an anthropologist I am interested in participant observation, having the
distinct advantage of not looking European but like many of the workers
themselves.
What
I listened and learned had been an eye opener to me, worthy of an essay or a
book and perhaps an example to the rest of the world grappling with the balance
of sharing their generosity and helping the Other without meddling too much in
their affairs.
The
first group of people easy to access for conversations were the Flight
Attendants. On Long flights there were plenty of opportunities to talk to them.
I remember my first conversations: a Chinese Indonesian from Balikpapan living
in Jakarta, another Filipina living in Manila. Their answers were unanimous now
confirmed by dozens of other flight attendants. They are from poor countries
where Travel remains a dream but this gives them an opportunity to see the
world. They also appreciated the fact that they could see their families often
enough as they take advantage of a three or four day furlough to fly home. In
the succeeding years I have met hundreds of Flight Attendants and senior staff.
As there are thousands of Cabin Crew working for Qatar Airways, one very seldom
runs across the same person, even if you fly often enough, because the flight
map is all over the world.
Some
leave good impressions and wish I could have become friends with them, Maria
from Romania, Chris from Goa, MiJin from Seoul, Guia from Manila, the list is
long enough.
They
have a privileged position among the Workers to Qatar in that they are often
able to go home and homesickness or longing for someone or other is decreased
to a minimum.
I
purposely did not wish to meet doctors or lawyers or accountants, especially
from Europe.
While
the Asians are here driven by the lack of employment in their countries and
lack of opportunities, the Europeans here are not at all attractive in that
their purpose is purely commercial, they are here because they are paid better
than in their home countries and in my opinion, they do not bring any
additional charm to Qatar.
In
fact I had not desire, nor make any attempt to know any of the workers, usually
in managerial positions, from European countries working in Qatar. Also my idea
was to understand Qatar and Qataris and their relationship with workers from
poorer countries and the feelings those are reciprocated.
The
next group of people were the ones working at the hotels, there seemed to be a
division of duties here in that many Egyptians worked in the Reception,
Filipinas dominated the restaurants, Indians were found in semi managerial
positions and hotel domestic work and the unlucky Bangladeshis at the bottom of
the heap assigned to managing the hygiene of the place.
I
spent long hours talking to various employees whenever their schedule
permitted.
One
thing was immediately clear. The workers are very well looked after. The Hotel
provides accommodation for all its workers, in one or two room apartments or
villas, there are kitchens, and swimming pools and many of them are situated
near the ocean. All of them are air-conditioned and wi fi are freely available.
There
are sports and gymnasium facilities in all the living quarters area. They are
not camps but resemble modern facilities found in Europe or USA. Transportation
to and fro work is provided.
Qatar
is a peninsula in the Arabian Desert. The riches from the Oil industry has
transformed this oasis into a modern city state, with all the modern conveniences
of living: An excellent airport, clean navigable roads all clearly marked,
beaches, recreation facilities and restaurants from all corners of the globe
(Ethiopian, Nepali, Yemeni just to name some exotic cuisines).
All
in all, Qatar has created a favourable impression in my mind, by visiting Doha repeatedly
and mingling and mixing with the hundreds of workers who had come from various
parts of the world. While Indians, Nepalis, Filipinos, Egyptians dominate the
work force, there are sizeable numbers from all parts of the world.
As
I mentioned earlier there is a division of labour here, not strictly enforced
but most of the Security men seem to be from Kenya and Uganda. Uber drivers
seem to be from Ethiopian and one of them remarked: There are no illegal
migrants in Qatar, it is just not possible!
Mohammed
from Alexandria, Sunil from Nepal, Bektar from Kyrgyzstan, Ali from Cairo,
Ayman from Tunis, Mohammed Ramadan from Damascus, Mostafa and Elsayed from
Egypt, Shirin from Kyrgyzstan all had very positive things to say about Qatar,
their employment and the facilities offered them and also the safety of the
country.
My
Love for the Country has only increased as I get to know the Qatari mind that
creates this atmosphere of hospitality. The current diplomatic crisis against
Qatar is unjustified and the Emir Tamim is handling it in superb statesmanlike
fashion.
