DOHA - It is not just lowly-paid Asian workers who are feeling the brunt of rising prices and rents, Arab expatriates working as labourers and the like are also reeling from the high cost of living.
That is the case of people who are getting paid for the job they are doing imagine the plight of those who are not paid their salaries.
The Arab workers are facing a crisis, this month being Ramadan and Eid festivities to start immediately after.
Most are finding it difficult to make ends meet, let alone being able to scrape up enough funds to send to their families back home.
Mansour Mohammad said that he came to Qatar on a salary of QR1,000 per month. He had no complaints at the time as he was managing perfectly well with the amount. However, things have now changed after his employers abruptly stopped paying his salary. "I have contacted the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and also filed a case in the courts to get my dues," he said.
Mohammad Maarouf sees the Iftar as a time to forget about his problems. "During the Iftar, we at least temporarily forget about our worries. We can mingle with others and enjoy a good meal. We have not been given our salaries and no reason has been given why pay is being withheld. This has caused us a lot of suffering," said Maarouf.
Khalaf Mahmoud also faces a similar problem. He says he is "saddened" in not getting his dues and is always in stress mode. "I have to meet the needs of my family back home. My father is very old and my brothers depend on what I send them. Although I am staying in Doha, I work one day and sit idle for the next few days," he said.
Mahmoud states he has filed a case against his sponsors for not paying him his dues and added: "I pray to Allah that I will be able to send some money home before Eid."
Abd'al Tawab Ramadan said that the holy month is when expenditures tend to rise. "All requirements for Ramadan are very expensive. By the time we pay our rents and other bills, our salaries are exhausted," he said.
According to Hamdi Abdul Hamid, people in general are going through difficult times. He aid that expenditure trebles during Ramadan and in a two and a half month period, schools have reopened meaning fees have to be paid, and this is closely followed by Ramadan and Eid.
"People are barely managing with their salaries and have to prepare for months in advance to deal with Ramadan expenses," he said.
© The Peninsula 2006
