Labour law changes announced by the Emir of Qatar add a new layer of repression for migrant workers and leave the kafala sponsorship system intact, according to International Trade Union Confederation. 

Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary, said: “Promises of reform have been used as a smokescreen to draw in companies and governments to do business in Qatar as the Gulf state rolls out massive infrastructure developments to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”