Kenyans who worked as security guards at the 2022 FIFA World Cup earned an estimated salary of $275 (approximately Ksh 34,000) per month according to The Athletic.
In addition, they were given a monthly food allowance of $82 (approximately Ksh 10,000) which only lasted for a few days.
Most of the migrants in Qatar could not even afford to buy World Cup tickets, thus they watched on the television screens as most people from different parts of the world did.
A Kenyan laborer who did not want to be named, for the fear of getting into trouble with the Qatari officials divulged that when he sends money back home to help his family he is left with very little.
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“There is nothing I can do about it. Many of us arrive here with an immediate debt because we borrow money to have the opportunity. I am completely powerless in this situation.
"If I complain, I fear losing my job. But really, I need more money because I am here to make a better life for my family.
“I try to send money home to my siblings in Kenya, but it leaves me with almost nothing to live off," he stated.
When an Ugandan worker was asked if he could stay in Qatar after the conclusion of the 22nd edition of the World Cup, he stated that he does not see a future for himself in the Gulf nation.
“I hope not. There is no opportunity for progress here. It has not felt to me that there are opportunities to progress, because the good jobs are prioritized for the Qatari nationals,” he ended.
Building up to the tournament, Qatar was heavily criticized for mistreating migrant workers, particularly those who participated in the construction of the World Cup facilities.
Out of the total population of 2.9 million individuals, only 380,000 are Qatar citizens, the rest of them are migrant workers.
Most of the workers reside in a place called Asian Town, which provides facilities such as entertainment and shopping complexes.
Close to the Asian Town is the Labour City which accommodates more than 70,000 migrant workers, majority of whom participated in the construction of the eight stadiums. The Labour City was opened in 2015.