Qatar Airways - not a pretty story

[maninblack]

Article paints an ugly picture.

The truth about the luxury of Qatar Airways | Nyheter | Expressen | Senaste nytt - Nyheter Sport Nöje TV

 

[Princess Fiona]

I saw this earlier today. Pretty shocking article

 

[maninblack]

I saw this earlier today. Pretty shocking article

The translation into English is rather lumpy but yes the gist of it is clear.

 

[TomVexille]

That's a little scary if true.

 

[MelUser]

I know someone who worked in Dubai. When the employer said to him "I think there is a problem with your visa", he knew it was time to leave Dubai and quickly.

 

[zainman]

Sad and unfortunate. That's how they can afford to purchase $200 billion worth of planes and and expand. It's just not a level playing field. Of course their lounges are better, their airports are better, staffing and building these places costs them next to nothing!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Damning article, but not surprising. I have spent a lot of time in the region and this sort of thing seems common place unfortunately.

 

[samh004]

I saw this earlier today. Pretty shocking article

Made it through the lengthy article this afternoon too and was pretty shocked by what I read. I'd like to hear more from those that have friends working for them, but from the sounds of things, that may not be possible.

Would certainly affect my choice to fly them or not.

 

[JohnK]

The best airline in the world?

People don't have a clue. Enough said.

 

[anat0l]

People don't have a clue. Enough said.

Methinks that people don't care. That's why they're still flying and "highly regarded".

The only people who seem to be associated in earnest with making conscious decisions founded on human rights are the left (who are subsequently slandered and jeered for their idealism by the right).

I'm sure there's meant to be a response somewhere from QR stating that the recounts are highly sensationalised and isolated, obviously from errant staff who are no longer (with reason) part of the QR payroll.

We are assuming that the two staff in question are telling the truth without embellishment, though it doesn't seem like they are stretching the truth.

It seems Qatar is one of the most conservative states which follow Sharia law. This may be testament as to Qatar Airways and their conduct, whether this be a pushing or pulling force by virtue of the host regime.

 

[tuapekastar]

Read this elsewhere...pretty damning of QR, and provides no incentive to either fly with them or work for them (the country itself does not come out smelling very well either). And they have soccer World Cup 2022 ()or whenever)..bizarre!

 

[Anna]

Expressen is a lurid tabloid, not a reputable news source.

 

[maninblack]

https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/qatar

 

[Simo]

Not great for staff,

I am wondering if any ex staff member have made a case to the UN or someone like that due to unjust conditions such as freezing bank accounts.

 

[cmon0005]

Hmm, I have first and business flights booked in a few months time, it's a wonder how the crew even have the motivation to give good service and win best airline in the world awards.. Something needs to be done on a global level to pressure the country to change its ways..

 

[samh004]

Something needs to be done on a global level to pressure the country to change its ways..

I'm not 100% sure on that, they're a different culture and can have different laws and ideals. It's more so QR's treatment of staff, with regards to letting them go and seemingly confiscating money that seems to be the issue. Even perhaps their relationship with the government if ex-staff can't get back in. The company and it's relationship with the government, that could perhaps be pressured. But the country should be able to do what it likes.

 

[anat0l]

The only other real "pressure" that people could apply is to not fly QR. That is only effective if done en masse so I don't see that happening.

Workers rights are certainly not good if the article is true. Whilst there are UN mandates for this which also are drawn from some of the basic human rights (and I assume Qatar is a signatory and member of the UN), the UN has no powers beyond pressuring (insignificant) to encourage an improvement in conditions. Certainly would sound dubious "obsessing" if it were just about a single company.

Noticing that quite a few staff in promotional material for QR are Asian. I wonder if Asians working for QR are a lot more "compliant" than say Europeans. From the Asian employees, it may be a different story, or no story.

 

[harvyk]

I have to say, the story if true is pretty shocking, but not 100% unexpected... There are numerous stories from people who work in that general region which basically go along the lines of "you've sold your soul to the company, and there is not a lot you can do about it."

Then again Australia has numerous visa's which are attached to working for specific companies, and if that job goes, you are out of the country (and depending on how the removal happens, it can screw up your chances for returning to AU). There have been a few cases where naive foreigners have been taken for a ride from less than honest companies over here. I guess it's just we tend to have stronger IR laws to prevent that from happening.

 

[cmdwedge]

Having read that article, it certainly will adjust my flight booking habits.

 

[Isochronous]

I'm all for no fatties in airline uniform, but QR sounds horrendous. I'll definitely think twice before flying them - I've never flown them before but was considering it post-oneworld entry.