RUEIL-MALMAISON (dpa-AFX) - French builder Vinci SA (VCISY.PK, VCISF.PK) said it is appalled by the accusations against the company and has decided to file a lawsuit against Sherpa, whose slanderous allegations constitute a serious attack on the company's image.
Vinci also decided to invite Sherpa representatives, and any journalists who so wish, to visit the company's building sites and living quarters in order to inspect working and living conditions first-hand, at their earliest convenience.
Sherpa filed a complaint for forced labor offenses, bonded reduction and concealment against Vinci Construction Grands Projets or VCGP and French leaders of its Qatari subsidiary or QDVC committed against migrants employees on their sites in Qatar. The violation of the human rights of migrant workers on construction sites infrastructure for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Vinci said it has been working in Qatar via QDVC since 2007 and employs 3,500 people in the country. It has repeatedly welcomed unions, international NGOs and journalists onto its building sites. They have ascertained that the company does more than merely comply with local labour law and respect fundamental rights. All QDVC employees are free to retrieve their passports at any time, and the company strictly observe working hours and rest time.
Vinci said it strives to improve employee working and living conditions throughout the world. This is the case in Qatar, where we have built new housing facilities at the beginning of this year in order to provide its workers with better living conditions.
Moreover, 70% of the company's workers decide to return to QDVC and sign new two-year contracts when their previous contracts expire and they return from their holidays.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX