Office of the Assemblies

Dear President Garrett,<br /><br />I would like to convey Resolution16: Addressing Labor Issues in Qatar to you.

Dear President Garrett,<br /><br />I would like to convey Resolution16: Addressing Labor Issues in Qatar to you. This resolution is sponsored by Michael Ferrer, Allison Considine, Paul Russell (freshman representative), Jordan Berger (parliamentarian), Emma Johnston (executive vice president), and Matt Stefanko (vp for finance).<br /><br />This resolution asks Cornell to do a formal third party investigation into the working conditions at Cornell's school in Qatar. As you are aware, the International Trade Union Confederation sent a letter to Cornell University and other institutions with satellite campuses in Qatar. Issues specifically being cramped housing, workers salaries half of what was promised, wage theft, and withholding of passports. <br /><br />Although Cornell does have existing employee policies in place, the sponsors see the track record of the overall labor system in Qatar suggesting that the policies are not being followed to their full intent. The resolution sponsors would like a response regarding whether the obstacle to initiating the third party investigation is funding related or something else. <br /><br />The Student Assembly voted almost unanimously in favor (24-1-0) including the two collective community votes in favor. <br /><br />Thank you for the time and consideration.<br /><br />Kind regards, <br />Juliana