Qatar, the hosts of the World Cup 2022, who are currently under international criticism over the working conditions of migrant workers, have said that recruitment agencies in Asia were most to blame for any abuse, reports The Himalayan Times.

A report commissioned by the Qatar Foundation, chaired by the ruling Emir’s mother, charged that the rights of migrants, mainly Asians, are flouted in their home countries from the moment they sign up for work.

The report, focusing on workers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, said: “Critics of human and labour rights violations most often shift the blame to Qatar in a rather generic manner. Far less attention has been given to the violations by the migrants’ own nationals in their countries of origin, in addition to those who are complicit in Qatar.”

The energy-rich Gulf nation has come under international pressure to clamp down on violations of the rights of migrant workers, especially those building World Cup infrastructure.

The report insisted that this criticism underscores the need to determine the level of abuse committed at the recruitment stage, and introduce legislation in order to stamp it out: “It is necessary to ascertain to what extent trafficking, debt bondage and forced labour, that largely result from recruitment processes ... could be addressed and leveraged by the Qatari authorities.”

The Qatar Foundation is a non-profit organisation promoting education, science, and community development. It is chaired by Sheikha Moza bint Nasser al-Masnad, the mother of Qatar’s Emir.

The report called for: “Greater regulation of recruitment and placement agencies in origin and destination countries, respectively and for more cooperation between these governments. Proper legislation is needed to monitor the work of recruitment agencies in Qatar and in the origin countries.”

The report recommended fees paid by would-be migrant workers to recruitment agencies be banned, describing them as a form of “bribe”, adding financial pressure on the jobseeker. Any fee should instead be paid by the company hiring the worker. The report said workers are often forced to take out loans to foot the bill of recruitment agencies and secure a job in the construction and service industries in Qatar, and as a result rake up debts.

“The phenomenon of debt bondage is in large part the reason why migrant workers in Qatar are insecure and vulnerable to exploitation,” the report added.

The report also called on Qatar to ensure that workers are paid their wages on time in line with local law and that the employers pay the salaries directly into the workers’ bank accounts: “Contracts should be standardised with detailed termination provisions, signed prior to departure and checked on arrival.”

The Qatari government has repeatedly rejected charges that construction workers are being mistreated and has announced a series of measures to improve their conditions. In May it was announced that the controversial sponsorship system, which leaves foreign workers at the mercy of employers, would be abolished.

The International Trade Union Confederation warned in June that as many as 4,000 migrant workers could die in construction site accidents by the time the 2022 tournament kicks off.