Zahir Belounis, a Franco-Algerian footballer, has been stranded in Qatar for almost two years due to a dispute with his employer, Al-Jaish, where he claims two years of unpaid wages. Despite his efforts, local authorities are refusing to issue him a visa, effectively preventing him from leaving the country. His wife and two daughters are also stuck in this situation with him.
Belounis took to Twitter, expressing the extreme emotional toll the situation has taken on him, stating, “I want to kill myself, I can’t take it anymore.” This distressing testimony sheds light on the challenges faced by workers in Qatar, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2022 World Cup, where many employees work in precarious conditions.
Belounis’s plight serves as a stark reminder of the need for international attention and action to address labor issues and human rights concerns associated with major sporting events hosted by countries with less-than-ideal working conditions.
