An Open letter to his Highness Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
July 08, 2022
Dear Your Highness Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani
Good day,
Your Highness, I am Carlos Bayani C. Gonzales a Filipino citizen and previously working in Qatar, I am an MEP Sr. Autocad Draughtsman for over 5 years in company name Conspel Qatar, Sir I just want to inform you, that Conspel Qatar Company is violating the Qatar Rules for not paying most of their employees for their final settlement, especially if you are not in the same color, I was resigned last November 2021 in Conspel Qatar, because my wife got sick, and I have to take care of her, that time I bought my own ticket amounting to more than 5000 qatar riyal, just to be home to take care of my wife, I spoke to them regarding my salary and my final settlement, because our salary was delayed for almost 3 months on that time, but they are telling that the company is no money, I borrowed money for my friends, to buy an airway ticket and to pay my apartment rental. Then a previous month came, they paid my salary for the month of September and October, that I am already here in the Philippines. But for the month of November they computed it with the final settlement that I have to received with them, amounting to 32,224 qatar riyal. That until now I didn’t received, I’ve been 8 months already here in the Philippines and no work, its difficult to find a job here now in the Philippines, that’s why, I emailed Mr. W. Hariz, an account manager, Mr. A Bazzi Administrative Manager, and Mr. S. Satheesh, admin department, many times to get my money, to start at least small business, because I have to feed my family, and to sustain the medication of my wife. But still they refuse and ignoring my e-mal.
I am not believe that Conspel Qatar has no money, because Conspel have a huge projects, like Katara Twin Tower in Lusail Marina, Doha Oasis, Construction of Public Park at Al Hawdat Al Hamama.
Sir, Your Highness, I Hope this letter will go to your attention.
Thank You and more power your Highness
Respectfully
Carlos Bayani C. Gonzales
MEP Sr. Autocad Draughtsman
Carlos, getting the contact details of the ministry of labour, would not help in any way. Usually, companies in Qatar who go about doing all sorts of mischief with their employees, are well-connected or has someone powerful as their sponsor. Your letter to them will simply go into the shredder machine.
Just take my own case as an example of what takes place here. When BEMCCO refused to give me my End of Service Benefits, I lodge a case against the Company at Labour Court. The case was accepted and the next day was set for the hearing. When I reached the Court, I got to learn the judge assigned to hear my case had been away on vacation and nobody knew when he would be returning (Ha! Ha!). I was advised to see the Mudeer. When I met him. he knew about the Company and its workings. He asked me, "Do you have a Contract?" He knew very well BEMCCO did not issue a Contract to any of its employees. It was one of things I had mentioned in my case against the company.
When I replied I didn't have a Contract, he said "The case cannot proceed without a Contract available." BEMCCO is a company whose sponsor was a Sheikh.
Case Closed!
When I returned to the Company, the wicked Admin. Director Amjath, was laughing on my face.
Carlos, sorry, I will need to decline. We ourselves have issues with our company and fear the repercussions.
If someone here can provide you the contact information for labor would be great.
Or you could contact your ministry of Foreign affairs and log a complaint. You could also approach the Qatar Embassy in Philippines.
Angelo my friend, if you know someone from the ministry of labor, i think it’s better to forward my letter to them, to investigate their wrong doing to their employees, and to stop their evilness.
Carlos, all the best man.
CONSPEL is still operating.
Most of the time, it is the company that we work for and the sponsor that takes advantage of us less fortunate in understanding the Arabic to English conversion of the law and Labor law of Qatar.
We work a 6 day work week, and our sponsor is a very old family in Qatar and a huge business establishment. You know the establishment is old when you look at the Post Box number and it a one digit or 2 digit..
We used to apply for annual leave from Saturday and travel on Thursday night by the last flight out of Qatar. Or, we would take leave from the date Eid holidays end and travel on the night before eid Holidays.
About 4 years ago on returning from leave, we got our salary deducted on grounds that the Law gives us a day to rest and does not entitle travel out of country. Even imagine, the 3 or 4 days eid holidays are lost as it is either salary deduction or if the company is lenient with you, it gets reduced from your annual leave entitlement. Here again, the game is, no advance leave till after due date, ie, completion of 365 work days from rejoining. So you are stuck.
Insha Allah, that my letter will reach to his highness.
I wrote a similar letter to HH The Amir in 2020. It was to bring to his attention the cruelty that was taking place at a company Bin Thani Electromechanical Contracting & Trading Company (BEMCCO). They did not pay salaries for months. The authorities were aware of what was going on in the company as the workers had gone on strike several times and the Labour department people had to intervene. They stole water and power through illegal connections at their Wakra camp. Their Admin. Director Amjath from Chenna, India is a cruel man whose God is money. He tried to have me caught by the police and deported as he did not renew my QID for more than six months. He drove me to the point of suicide. When he realized this, only then he handed me my passport. I left paying the penalty on my expired ID, my air ticket etc.
I do not know what happened to Amjath or to his company. But my post was deleted by Qatar Living after ten days.
I don't think you will get much from your post especially if the owner of your company is from the royal family.
I would be interested to know the response, please.
If not the Emir himself, at least the Labor Ministry, should do some investigation and give you a response.
Do keep us updated, with whatever happens.