Qatari government clients, and other large businesses, are failing to pay contractors on time for projects, leaving migrant labourers unpaid, according to a report published by Human Rights Watch on Monday.

“Clients at the top of the Qatari contracting supply chain, including government bodies, often have impunity, leaving subcontracting businesses that employ migrant workers bearing the cost,” said Michael Page of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The documents revealed that both subcontractors struggled to pay workers when clients did not release payments as they were contractually obligated to do.

Attempts by one to demand payment, including legal threats, did not result in payment.

Such violations could result in complicity in contributing to wage theft against migrant workers, the HRW report said.