Over the past two decades Qatar’s fast-paced infrastructural development and economic growth has attracted millions of people from across the globe who came to Qatar for work and business. The country has also emerged as a global hub of sports and is also attracting an increasing number of tourists from around the world. All this necessitates stringent measures to be in place to prevent trafficking in persons.
Qatar has been successful in addressing human trafficking concerns associated with major sports events and the economic migration. Through its hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the country has exemplified its commitment to upholding human rights and preventing human trafficking. Qatar has undertaken a comprehensive reforms of the labour sector, including abolishing kafala system and the need for exit permit to travel abroad; allowing workers to change jobs and employers easily; and setting a minimum wage. The government has also established Qatar visa centres in a number of countries including India, Pakistan, Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The incoming workers get to know all the details of their work and sign their contracts in their own languages before coming to Qatar. The country has also enacted a number of laws to protect workers’ rights. All these measures have helped address structural causes leading to the phenomenon of human trafficking.
Qatar has established the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking under the Ministry of Labour and put in place a mechanism to support the victims of trafficking. This includes establishment of a care centre dedicated to providing the required assistance and protection for the victims of human trafficking, rehabilitating and integrating them into the community, in addition to providing them the care and temporary shelter, pending a solution to their problems. A hotline has also been set up for public to lodge complaints or report any violations related to human trafficking.
Qatar is also supporting the United Nations agencies and enhancing cooperation with other governments to check the phenomenon of human trafficking. Ministers and heads of government agencies concerned from across the Middle East gathered in Doha this week to review the progress, discuss challenges and exchange best practices for preventing trafficking in persons in the region. Officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, US, the UK, and United Nations attended the conference hosted by the Ministry of Labour under the title ‘Combating Trafficking in Persons in Seasons of Tourism and Sports as an Example’.
