The labour law reforms in Qatar yet again have drawn praise from countries across the world. Representatives from several countries participating in the 337th session of the Governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva recently, applauded Qatar for making great strides in ensuring the welfare of the thousands of expatriate workers in the country, which include making them aware of their rights and even giving them training in information technology-related fields and digital communication.
Qatar’s delegation to the session was led by Minister of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo. Representatives of the governments of the participating countries, including from the European Union, the USA, Switzerland, Canada and representatives of the trade unions praised the achievements made by Qatar, stressing that Qatar is a model for the region in light of the significant development in labour laws.
This is not the first time that Qatar is being hailed for its labour market reforms. In October, the ILO said in a statement that the organisation welcomed the latest and groundbreaking reforms, which it said recognise the commitment of the State of Qatar to transform its labour market. The decision to abolish the Kafala system and the move to fix minimum wage for workers will greatly support the rights of migrant workers, while contributing to a more efficient and productive economy, it said. ILO Director General Guy Ryder said: “I am pleased that the ongoing ILO technical cooperation programme in Qatar is tangibly contributing to the government’s effort to advance social justice and promote decent work in the country.”
He was speaking about the unanimous decision that the State Cabinet of Qatar took on October 16, 2019, to endorse new legislation allowing workers to change employers freely. This legislation abolished the need for workers to get a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their employer in order to change sponsorship. A Ministerial Decree by the Minister of Interior was also signed, removing the exit permit requirements for all workers, except military personnel.
This decision was the last nail on the coffin of Qatar’s critics who never lost an opportunity to paint a distorted picture of Qatar criticising its treatment of expatriate workers.
They very often turned a blind to the way the country was taking care of its workforce by ensuring better health, living conditions and security. Qatar treats its expatriates as the country’s guests and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to the well-being of them. A single visit to any labour camp in Qatar will be a real eye-opener for anyone, where one can get familiar with facilities provided for the workers, such as accommodation with all modern amenities, access to medical facilities, ample entertainment opportunities and even computers. Qatar is already a model for others when it comes to the welfare of its workforce.
