It is no secret that some greedy individuals, people who have no religious or ethical principles, sell entry visas to Qatar. These people, who profit from trading in human beings, work now in broad daylight and under everybody’s noses. Officials say there is nothing illegal about this kind of business.
A visa may sell for as much as QR50,000, although its original cost is only QR300. The prices, however, vary according to market conditions. When the authorities stop issuing visas, the prices of unused visas skyrocket. One wonders how many bogus companies trade in visas and profit from the dreams of the poor who seek a better life in this country.
Job-seekers are paid between QR800 and QR1,000 a month. Worse still, they pay an additional QR1,000 to renew their residence permit every year.
Unfortunately, this business of selling visas has boomed for those who do not have a job in Qatar. But the poor, who pay high sums to get into the country, never have a permanent job, and the authorities know this well. They sometimes cause traffics jams as they stop passing cars to plead for a job.
Some company owners even make poor workers pay QR20,000-30,000 to renew their business registration. If they refuse, their visas will be cancelled, and consequently they will be deported.
Numerous tragedies of this kind take place in our society due to profiteering in visas.
It is time we stood up against this phenomenon. The authorities should make sure that no visa is issued unless companies take the necessary measures to safeguard workers’ human rights. There should be supervision over the issuing of visas so that foreign labour is not exploited by vampires.
It is time we put an end to this kind of business. Business should be done in accordance with the saying by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): “Everyone is a shepherd and responsible for his flock.”
