Business World

US law firm advises OFW victims of labor traffickin­g in Qatar World Cup constructi­on to contact their office

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LAST YEAR, a case was filed against the US constructi­on company Jacobs Solutions Inc. and its subsidiari­es, for violating a US law (Traffickin­g Victims Protection Act) that prohibits trafficked or forced labor even when the alleged practice occurs outside of the United States. Hundreds of workers were reportedly killed and injured leading to the World Cup opening in 2022. Two U.S. law firms are representi­ng Filipino migrant workers, including Sparacino PLLC.

According to a report, there were hundreds or even thousands of overseas Filipino workers recruited to work in Qatar for the constructi­on of the stadiums and other infrastruc­ture for the 2022 FIFA Men’s World

Cup, and many of them were allegedly exploited and unfairly treated by their employers (direct and indirect) in Qatar. They were subjected to work in dangerous and unsafe conditions and were forced to live in cramped dirty barracks. In addition, they were required to work up to 72 hours straight under the sun’s heat without food and water.

The report also added that as foreign workers, their passports were confiscate­d, preventing them from finding new jobs and barring them from returning to the Philippine­s. Some workers claimed that were not paid with their full wages.

Around 40 complainan­ts were included in the initial list filed in the federal court in Denver, Colorado. The law firm is expecting more names to come forward as the case progresses.

According to Sparacino PLLC’s site, anyone who has worked on any type of constructi­on project in Qatar related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup may be eligible. The lawyers will need to review the facts of the employment as an OFW during the constructi­on period to determine eligibilit­y. You must furnish clear evidence that you were a documented OFW working on constructi­on in Qatar and of which companies employed you. Documents needed include passports, visas, and employment contracts.

All OFWs who are victims of the above unfair labor practices and human traffickin­g, can check Sparacino PLLC’s website at http://qatarcase.com/ or text their partners at Global Rights at +6392211012­76/+6397615746­73. Provide your name, email, address, cell phone number, and/or WhatsApp or Viber number, and when you worked in Qatar. All the informatio­n you provide shall remain confidenti­al.

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