ChChapter 2: Origins and influences of nationality law relatively small number of highly skilled foreigners and very high numbers of migrant workers with lower-skilled level jobs in construction and domestic work. Most are from developing countries in South Asia, South East Asia and Africa, staying on short-term, employeesponsored work contracts.90 While the country is heavily dependent on this foreign work-force, hosting such a disproportionately large number of foreigners has clearly impacted on how the Qatari state and society view and guard their citizenship. Thus, similar to the Palestinian question elsewhere in the region, such situations in which the body of nationals is a minority in its own country have also contributed to restrictive policies towards naturalisation and other modes of acquisition of nationality. The concern is that a more inclusive approach could quickly threaten the cultural authenticity, heritage and social fabric of Qatar. These fears have led to the imposition of strict time-limits for migrants to stay in the country, which means that very often the question of access to citizenship is simply not relevant. However, it is evident that even those who extend their contracts and end up working and living in Qatar for a longer period do not have the opportunity to participate in or integrate into Qatari society and the nationality 90 - A. Kapieszewksi, “Arab versus Asian migrant workers in the GCC countries” in S. Roper (ed.) Labour migration to the Gulf: Understanding variations of the Kafala system, Eastern Illinois University, 2008. 71