This is really pathetic...

She stopped eating antidepressants otherwise it might have gone up 500+ :)

I'm sure she uses a good sealant just in case it rains...

To realize that things we take for granted, everyday eases and blessings, are actually luxuries and unaffordable for many of those around us is truly a great reminder that we indeed have a lot to be grateful for. And a incentive to make us more charitable and conscious of another's suffering.

Lols RiP !

and wat if it rains heavily then ? :(

500 bucks ruined.

Rizks sounds like she needs to do a lot of work in the morning before she can go outside....

500 ?

tat might be their monthly income ? :(

and you are wasting it on your booty products ? :)

Bear in mind women need more than men do and our fancy beauty stuff costs much more. I just posted that article for us to ponder how lucky we are and how pathetic their situation is.

about the donations given to these poor laborers, the only thought that came to my mind was how unfortunate they are that they can't afford the basic amenities of life which I have often taken for granted. It is so easy for me to go to Carrefour, take a trolley and just dump things into it without even thinking how much would I have to pay when I check out.Shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, body wash, face wash, night and day face cream, anti wrinkle, body lotion, hair color, deodorant etc etc.The toiletries alone would come upto nearly 500 each month..

Lol

I can handle the truth! Rippy, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by Mods.

Mods have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for the labourers and you curse Molten Metal. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that this appeal, whilst paltry, probably saved lives. ....

Bring it on I say. You want the truth? You guys can't handle the truth....

Inspector box be

Ripcord caught for drunk driving near Ramada parking..out on bail....:p

Unknown resources mensioned that

brit,LLR, mohdata and janey have been arrested for threatening the innocent QLer "Rip Cord" by pushing a car over him.

Brit ohh Brit, I think you need to arrange two vehicles now. :))

i only said that to pacify fubar..i'm going after rip..send the men to me and we will finish him lol

I better watch out when I cross the street tonight, I thought everyone loved my cheeky sense of humor here...

LLR Volvo --->jackhammer :-P

Which one you gonna push Brit, Maybach 62 or the pinky ponky ponky Kia Picanto :)

Oh for goodness sake. I've just had a dozen offers from anonymous QLers to help push the car over Rip Cord :O(

right..i'm not going back and checking your posts now lol..apologies for getting carried away and maybe being rude..have a good evening ahead

jesus..no man not seriously..like i really meant i want to hit him with my car..it started as a metaphor and ended as a joke; I don't hate Rip, he just has a different perspective and i fully respect his right to..I enjoy trying to get through to him, whether by hook or by crook..this can occasionally mean hitting him with my car:-)

I think this campaign is not because labourers can't afford to buy, it is just to make them happy with a surprise gift.

Ugly

When have I had a single bad word to say that questions the integrity of the people arranging this?

ok let me tell you - employers waking up to the pain of their labour won't happen anytime soon- its a capitalist and profiteering employers' market and will remain so as long as there are people taking loans and pawning their very soul to come here - BUT if that's your primary concern and if you have NO PROBLEM with the SEPARATE ISSUE of some self initiated people (let's not belittle their effort by calling it a guilt trip) helping the less fortunate, then i'm truly sorry for my rudeness. The Filipinos who hand out dates/water during Ramadan at traffic lights and these people helping the labourers are the same; just reaching out to their own w/out asking how/why they are in trouble:-)

These people have jobs. They have jobs that do not pay them enough to afford toothpaste while their bosses and Qatari sponsors enjoy a life of luxry.

They are not jobless, homeless starving Africans who need clothing, food and basic supplies.

How degrading to work for a living and still not have enough for the basics and you can't even leave and go home when you find out how bad it is because your sponsor won't give you an exit permit.

Seriously? Your response to someone posting online in a thread about laborers getting salaries so low that they cannot afford deodorant is to say that you want to hit them with your car?

Issues...

And how is this not a subsidy?

General public donates to the laborers' welfare by giving soap, clothes, other non-perishable goods that would have been purchased with the laborers' salaries.

The result?

The employer doesn't have to account for the value of the donated goods in present or future wages or wage increases.

It's a textbook example of a subsidy.

no one's subsidising anything dude!..they are donating..free of cost..they are not encouraging employers to not pay salaries on time..what huge difference is there??..you know what man?..you obviously have thought this over..i will quit playing keyboard warrior and leave you to your devices..just make sure you don't cross any roads for the rest of the day since I'm going to be cruising looking for you lol..

Who is saying that we shouldn't help?

I'm all for the idea of helping people, donating old clothes to the poor, giving money to charity etc.

But I'd like to think that our contribution will be matched by employers giving additional money or perks to their employees.

I find it all rather bemusing. If we can help in some small way to ease the burden of these individuals then why shouldn't we do so?

I utilise a "clothes bank" back home. where my family donates clothes no longer required to help those less unfortunate.

No loss to me and very much a gain for them. Similarly, the Heart Foundation asks for donations of used furniture and clothes.

Let's stop being petty minded and help if we can. If we can't , then let those who can do their bit.

What's my concern?

Employers are underpaying their Asian laborers, and then the rest of us are being guilt tripped into donating simple stuff like soap and t-shirts that they can't afford.

If these people were paid a decent wage then they wouldn't be in need of such charity.

The reason they don't have toothpaste isn't because I haven't given them some Colgate, it's because their millionaire sponsors and bosses and managers don't pay them a decent wage.

This charity initiative should be naming and shaming the companies whose recipients are in need of these handouts to encourage them to pay their staff more.

no of course not, the person helping me get to hospital is not encouraging others to run me over but those susbsidising basic amenities for these workers are encouraging these employers not to pay a decent wage. Huge difference.

when some one is rolling on the floor laughing; we are bound to inquire as to what is so funny? :-)

in that vein then, anyone who helps you and takes you to the hospital when i run you over is as blame worthy as me who ran away..is that right?..answer carefully here rip, since it will weigh heavily on your credibility going forward.

and let the employers enjoy it; or do you suggest the labourers be left alone in their misery so that the employers don't enjoy it?..a rich guy just knocked over a beggar..and ran away laughing knowing he is untouchable..do you help the beggar or not?..answer carefully again..the beggar's life or the rich boy's enjoyment?..what's the priority?

rofl..:))

"But if the burden on improving their conditions falls to Doha residents who feel sorry for them, when will their employers ever be likely to actually pay them a decent wage?"

The above is what you are NOW on about.

'Begging is illegal in Qatar. So if these same laborers were to ask for donations of soap or toothpaste or clean, unused clothing, they would be breaking the law.

But if people just offer to give this stuff to them for free, it isn't just legal, it's championed in the newspapers as proof of how nice the people of Qatar are?'

The above is what you WERE worried about in your last post.

What exactly is your concern here? Or are we just being difficult and not ceding ground?

Well Mohdata no employer has come forward and said, 'wait don't do this, we will take of our employees if they can't afford soap'.

No they are sitting back loving this. Anyone who contributes in my opinion shares the blame with the employers and contributes to their poor wages and shame.

yes..and i can run you over with my car..run over your head basically..and ask the nice people of Qatar to take you to the hospital..since the brain in your head has missed the fact that the employers did not ask anyone to supply anything..the box appeal is all about human beings helping human beings who are being run over by animals masquerading as human beings..

Blaming is always a easy game. Humans do that more often. :)

If we really like we can make hell out of anything.

This is similar event happened in dubai http://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/bollywood-actor-arjun-rampal-joins-10-000-volunteers-in-adopt-a-camp-s-care-packages-for-labourers-event-in-dubai-130538620.html

10,000 volunteers. :) giving is for yourself, not others.

I am just wondering, how many in this forum has took a labour case and tried to solve it by approaching authorities?.

It's good that people feel so sorry for these poor Asians who are being severely underpaid, overworked, and made to live in crappy conditions.

But if the burden on improving their conditions falls to Doha residents who feel sorry for them, when will their employers ever be likely to actually pay them a decent wage?

It's not as if the big companies can't afford to add a few hundred riyals per month on to their salary. They just are being told that they don't have to, because the general public is going to pay this extra amount indirectly through donated soap.

It really is pathetic that laborers are being treated this way by their employers.

So if I start a company in Qatar, I can pay Asians really cheap wages and then ask the people of Qatar to supply basic toiletries and everyday items. Maybe I could also get them to give them food as well.

That is just great, I could make a fortune for myself with very low overheads.

Thanks for idea guys.

MOHDATA puts it very nicely.It's pathetic that its come to this. Concerned authorities should take note of this and find out why it has come to this point where the public is now thinking of improving the workers right here. The next thing I am wondering about is: How are these boxes gonna be distributed? Who will take care of this? How do they ensure that no one receives more than one box? What if the workers are allergic to some soaps or talcum powder? What if they caps or shirts don't fit or they don't like them? Might be seen as a good initiative, but to decide what to give and giving no choice to these workers,who are not asking for charity, is a point to consider.Not a problem solver.

4) The people who put these workers in this situation are regularly in the news for how messed up they are; why can't the ones who are reaching out to them be in the news too?

1) that begging law is aimed more at the professional beggars who loiter around fast food joints, mosques and offices, explicitly asking for money (note that i said money)

2) the labourers, as a whole, endure their hardships with a lot of dignity and self containment. i see them as most respectable folk who are also honest for the most part..i have a feeling that they don't ask for anything except to be paid on time..but if people feel their pain and just help out. what is the problem that you have with this?

3) The newspapers only cover it; they do not say it was to champion qatar as a humane country; you added on that bit through your perspective

Let me get this straight though.

Begging is illegal in Qatar. So if these same laborers were to ask for donations of soap or toothpaste or clean, unused clothing, they would be breaking the law.

But if people just offer to give this stuff to them for free, it isn't just legal, it's championed in the newspapers as proof of how nice the people of Qatar are?

Am I understanding it right?

I AGREE WITH MOHDATA (Y)

so the conclusion one can draw from your last post is that you are horrible at titling your posts in relation to their context. when you say 'this is pathetic', it means the Box Appeal is pathetic. If you'd said 'it's pathetic that its come to this', you'd see that what you are saying is basically what everyone else is also saying..oh well!

most of us know what miskin means..some don't..and the request was for you to use english in the main forums and not to translate..btw, caste and wasta mean two different things and are two different issues in qatar..so please just stick to english:-)

this is poor mentality of CASTE / WASTA.

I am glad some people get what I am saying.. I am not against charity or donations.. I just said it is pathetic that these people's wages are so low that they are not able to afford the basic necessities of life.. if they were paid a decent salary, the situation of collecting donations for basic amenities would not have risen.

Kareena has got a point.These people they knew what they were getting into before they came here. Nobody dragged and forced them to come here. How do we know they will be better off with unused t-shirts, caps, razors,etc?

This campaign is a blow and insult to those companies who exploit their staff. Agreeing to that would be like subsidising those companies. What these people need is better control from govt authorities ensuring their contracts of work are being respected and they are decently treated like everyone else. Besides, no matter how well they are paid, some workers would send 95% of their income home and won't spend on themselves. They love charity despite they don't deserve it.

Yes, I met some labour who were paid 750+50 but in their contract it is different. We blame government but labours and employers were both from the same country.

dont confused,

dont you guys know that they're being cheated..?

Agent Recruitment promise QR 1,500 salary.

but,

when landed in Qatar, they're given QR 1,000 only.

see...?

That these poor people are actually unable to provide themselves with the basic amenities given how low their pay must be. So yes lobbying for better wages for laborers should be priority for the rights organization with any clout around here. However, are there any?

It is high time more effectual and fitter laws are legislated and applied indiscriminately to ensure the basic needs and rights of laborers are taken care of permanently. The fact that such charities are run is proof enough that things are not as they should be.

Meanwhile it still is a praiseworthy noble cause to help them out via such charities,maybe not a permanent solution,but something better than nothing!

You: 'On the striking driver thread, the majority of people wanted the employers to pay them a decent, fair wage.

On this thread they don't, and they think that the laborers should be happy with charity to supplement their income.

I'm confused.'

Janneyy: 'The problem with the salary is already given. It is already there. While we are suggesting the solutions for the said issue and waiting for anything to happen, isn't it good to do something better like giving a little help to these poor fellows while waiting for miracle?'

As a side note, no one thinks the labourers should be happy with charity..but offer it to them while they are waiting for 3 months' pay and see if they don't take it.

give the picked up Arabic words a break..English in the main forums please..

even you donate them everyday,

they are still miuskin with QR 1,000 salary only..

Which question?

The question about why it isn't allowed to give the laborers money?

rofl...:))

Im going out for lunch now Boxbe, see you at the usual ;)

the answer to your question has been very concisely given by Jaaney when she replied to a similar query by Marco..once you get the intention behind the drive and acknowledge it as a separate entity from the root problem, it makes much more sense:-)

Can any1 explain the real meaning of Third World Countries?Qatar and other GCC countries donate a lot in helping ppl all over the wrld whether its IND, PAK or anyother AFC country.

These labourers are earning their bread here and If you donate money then you will not know where your money is being spent. So i think this is a better way of donation.

Kareena, I feel pity on your thinking. You are comparing a tax paid country with a Non-Tax country. People who are living in those countries I think donot need donation as their government is taking care of them, but still if people contribute to help them.

ok the reward for the best comment goes to Janney...So time for karak chai in rizk emporium...bill paid by Marco...lol...:P

Yey ^,^.

Indeed, indeed. Absolutely.

(:

Marco- The problem with the salary is already given. It is already there. While we are suggesting the solutions for the said issue and waiting for anything to happen, isn't it good to do something better like giving a little help to these poor fellows while waiting for miracle?

Janneeyy03: I think what Karenna saying such problems need to be tackled at grassroots levels.

Set a minimum wage grade for labors and you won’t have to have such campaigns to help them

the moral story is PROPER SALARY...!

I noticed that Sulie, i'll just hug my pillow back :D

Thelo, why doesn't the Govt support the jobless ?

If you google, you could find many organisation in the western countries who has initiated such events for lower paid employees for their own country..

I think Kareena will have problem with our "Cool Campaign" as well..

It is better to help someone really needy, in a land of rich the level of neediness varies..

You can donate online by few clicks and enters but the feeling of going to bring box, packing it by your own and watching someone getting it with appreciation gives you a different sort of happiness.

These initiatives are just for awareness & inspiration, you can buy a box and pack it and send it to someone you know as homeless/jobless.

International poor, needy, homeless gets benefits from all over the world but some local poors who are earning just a little more than jobless are more often neglected.

Kareena: got a point

Janneeyy03 ,, You are talking to the walls

Don't bother yourself :)

On the striking driver thread, the majority of people wanted the employers to pay them a decent, fair wage.

On this thread they don't, and they think that the laborers should be happy with charity to supplement their income.

I'm confused.

Maybe the angry parents at the DMIS should be paying the drivers more money and giving them food and clothes and toothpaste, and should stop complaining.

Kareena74, There are charity happening for lower income citizens in the western countries.

These people (labors) did not come to anyone of us to ask for charities. It just so happen that there are group of people who wanted to a run a campaign and chose them as their beneficiaries. What is wrong with that?

BUT those are for the jobless and homeless people..

I dont think it is from authorities or subsidised by law or something, it is just an initiative from some good minds..

Of course, with or without this initiative, problem of wages is always there.. something better than nothing is always appreciable..

There are many such charity/donation events in western countries for their own people..

Is that considered pathetic too ?

Of course it is pathetic, the companies that cannot pay a living wage of being subsidised with charity for basic things.

It does not get anymore disgusting than this, people who have jobs who cannot afford the basics.

The stand of the Embassy of the Philippines in demanding higher wages for maids and other professions is the right response. We can try to help those who are here being exploited already, but at the same time foreign embassies need to pressure the locals to demand a more realistic wage.

I don't see that ordinary people should be made to feel ungenerous for not wanting to donate to these people, meanwhile their sponsors and business owners are living a life of luxury flying around the world for lengthy summer holidays and driving expensive cars - all because they know that it's okay to exploit Asian laborers.

This isn't a long term solution to Qatar's Labor Shame.

i click on your thankfully rare posts, fully expecting to find more hot air; and am never disappointed

That is my point GJ10, there are campaigns being run by small groups like our own PAQ, who aims to distribute toiletries and under garments to the distressed OFW's in our embassy. What can you say about that? Least we can do is appreciate the effort.

And fubar, there are a lot of employed people but are in need. Those who are receiving a very low salary.

What i would say really pathetic is "someone's intention in trying to convey that donation/charity is illegal or not necessary" Instead of appreciating their efforts, some find negatives...

No one is forcing to give donations, it on your will and wish.. thats it.

"So if a country is a rich country, charities are not welcome?"

Charity is welcome in every country. But typically charity is for poor, destitute, unemployed people.

Not for 20% of the country's EMPLOYED population.

Yes, LLR...

Poverty has different levels.

Of course there are labourers who need these kind of help.. In Dubai we had similar campaigns like "Adopt a Labour" etc and last year they delivered 5000 boxes with all the necessary items as mentioned in the main post..

They get paid 800 to 1500 QR.. I have seen many of them eating their breakfast with just cup of tea and a bun.

Of course they need help.

Qatar is of course doing many international donations as well.

So if a country is a rich country, charities are not welcome? Be realistic Kareena, you can see the laborers everyday anywhere in Doha, open your heart and share your blessings to them.

Qatar is richest country, yes

But that's non of any expat business

It is your home country-government which is responsible to help you, I know that the labors salaries here are really low, but unfortunately they accepted it and decided to come here, So when they prepare some charity works, I see it a good move, Isn't it?

Yes which is actually a third world country.. We have this thing called "Ration boxes" where well to do people or even just the middle class fill boxes with foodstuff like rice, wheat, lentils, oil, sugar, salt, spices, etc and then distribute it to the poor people.. It is understandable in third world countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Phillipines etc but not here...

Ok i have read all the comments but still can't say the act is unethical or pathetic. It is still for a good cause, and the organizers are not forcing anyone to donate something or anything for this people.

Britexpat i agree they would rather be happy to send their families a lot more money every time they get the chance to do so.

Thelonius what do you mean?.Read my post clearly i said this is a good deed.

Why aren't people allowed to donate money?

Raising the salary levels would lead to lower profits for these companies..

As far as the labourers are concerned.. Their priority is to send as much money home as possible and not worry too much about "luxuries"

in UK they can roam naked for tiger cause and that is not pathetic for u..but for something good cause here it is pathetic..strange

This is a very noble and humanitarian gesture and i hope there will be more of these kind of activities in the future Insha ALLAH.

But most people here do not understand the irony here and they actually thing it is a good thing...

Lol BG.

Go and raise your concern with qatar authorities

and dont forget this is for a cause and has got nothing to do with qatar authorities..Just imagine how much happy they will be and give duah for such a good cause...Alhamdollilah :)

u gave a good idea to me too...:)

Thanks kareena for sharing this...:)

This is really pathetic BCS I can't understand why it is pathetic :O(

Its for a good cause, appreciate the initiative.

Very good. I have similar idea but with different approach to run a campaign but for people who have no jobs.

Thanks for sharing. :)

You have to read the comments below the article to understand why this is such a sad situation especially in a rich country like Qatar.. All these people are not exactly jobless, they have jobs and get salaries and yet they are not able to afford the basic amenities or necessities.. I always wonder why Qatar cannot set minimum hourly wages for these people.. Why can't their employers pay them say a minimum of 15 to 20 riyals per hour.. Setting a mimimum wage by the government would put an end to these endless sufferings.

What is pathetic here? It's a noble act, i can see.

what is pathetic in this...i can not see anything wrong