Officials of International Transport Workers’ Federation and Qatar Chamber during the visit.
Doha: Qatar Chamber hosted on Tuesday a delegation representing the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) led by its General Secretary Stephen Cotton in the presence of the Arab World Regional Secretary Belal Mikkawy.
The Qatari side was headed by Qatar Chamber board member Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba, while QC Director-General Saleh bin Hamad Al Sharqi and head of legal affairs Abdulaziz Al Kuwari were also present.
Administrative expert at International Labour Relations Department, Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Mohamed Fahd Al Hajri attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed enhancing cooperation between both sides, particularly with regard with labourers conditions and efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to provide safe and appropriate labour environment and the interest of the country in protecting their rights.
Rashid Al Athba reiterated that all labourers’ rights are protected by the law, affirming the Chamber’s interest in urging businessmen and all private sector companies to provide all labourers with appropriate training courses to raise their awareness of occupational health and safety requirements for employer and labourers.
Al Athba noted that this will help to increase the efficiency in production. He underlined the Chamber’s efforts made to ensure the commitment of employers and companies to adhering to requirements and provisions of the Qatari Labour Law aiming at providing sound and safe labour environment.
Stephen Cotton said that the siege imposed on Qatar since June 2017 violates all international agreements and principles, noting that siege countries’ allegations are baseless.
Cotton affirmed that the siege has no impact on the labourers working in Qatar. He praised Qatar positive cooperation of with all world labour rights organisations, emphasizing that it exerted great efforts in reforming labour laws and regulations to cope with world standards.
“This is a great milestone and development in labourers rights. We will transfer Qatari achievements in labour field to all world organisations.” he said
Al Sharqi said that the State of Qatar is very interested in protecting rights of labourers and implementing world standards to ensure better safety and health for all expatriates.
There is full cooperation and coordination between Qatar chamber and Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in this regard in order to ensure the provision of a safe, healthy work climate in light with the economic and urban renaissance Qatar witnesses he noted.
Sharqi emphasized the Chamber’s support for all efforts being exerted by Qatar to provide an optimal and safe work environment through adhering to all international conventions and agreements and its positive cooperation with all organizations.
He lauded the Qatari human rights and labour legislations which preserve expatriates’ rights who are participating in achieving the sustainable development in Qatar.
Belal Mikkawy noted that the International Transport Workers’ Federation works closely with all bodies concerned with transport workers.
ITF has regional teams working to strengthen transport workers’ rights in 174 countries around the world, he noted; adding that the federation represents 16 million workers.
