Communities’ co-ordinators hail Qatar’s labour reforms and protection of rights
Co-ordinators and officials of a number of communities in Qatar praised the reforms of the labour sector in the state, and the improvement of the work environment in accordance with the highest international standards, expressing satisfaction with the achievements made by these reform, and with the good treatment and care they receive in a dignified and tolerant society.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the co-ordinators and officials underlined that the information about violations of the rights of expatriate workers, mistreatment and neglect are contrary to the truth and reality, and are based on false information, stressing that reality is far from the baseless and fabricated reports.
They described the campaigns that Qatar has been subjected to since it won the honour of hosting the World Cup in 2010 as deliberate and vain with cheap goals; adding that these campaigns are greatly exaggerated because some accidents that occur here and there during the construction of giant infrastructure are normal and can happen in any country.
They noted that no country can claim perfection, or the application of democracy and the fulfilment of all human rights in the world, even the West itself.
They highlighted the tangible achievements made in the field of labour, including ensuring safe and healthy work environment, ease of sponsorship transfer and change of work, the clear benefit from the minimum wage system, and the extension of the period of working hours during which work in open places is prohibited during the summer in order to reduce the effects of heat stress; in addition to opening communication channels to receive any complaints, whether through the Ministry of Labour, the National Human Rights Committee, or the Human Rights Committee at the Ministry of Interior, and other great benefits.
They added that the worker must be aware of his rights and defend against any exploitation or violation of the law in a state where the rule of law and justice prevails.
They welcomed the imminent launch of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and underlined that it will be exceptional in light of the giant facilities and infrastructure provided by Qatar to the visitors, fans and teams, because the tournament is for the whole world, not only for Qatar or the region which will host the event for the first time.
Santosh Pillai, one of the co-ordinators of the Indian community in Qatar, said: “We are satisfied with the reforms that Qatar has achieved in the work environment and laws, and we have seen them closely. There are some minor challenges, but we are satisfied with what has been done.”
Pillai noted that communication has become easier with the three parties — officials, employers and workers — which, in turn, facilitates addressing any problem that may arise in a way that satisfies everyone, referring to the Indian community’s contributions to hosting the World Cup through volunteering and the cultural events it will hold in Katara Cultural Village on this occasion.
For his part, Dr Mohan Thomas, President of the Indian Sports Center in Qatar, said: “I have lived in Qatar for 40 years during which I have not witnessed any derogation of my rights or any member of my community. We are in a state of justice and the rule of law, in which no one is oppressed.
Therefore, all accusations against Qatar in this regard are just lies, and we are very sorry to hear that because it is far from the truth.”
Dr Thomas praised the legislation and laws adopted to reform the work environment in Qatar, which he said meet the needs of workers, adding; “Wages are now paid on time, and any delay for more than a week exposes the entity and the employer to legal accountability.”
He underlined that the World Cup is a matter of pride for Qatar, the region and the world, because the legacy of this tournament will remain immortal in memory.
He noted that the organisation of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 were carried out according to well-thoughtout plans and standards that take into account the requirements of all stakeholders, including the issues related to occupational safety and security for workers.”
Prof Mohamed Ramzan Ali Miya, the co-ordinator of the Nepalese community in Qatar, said: “I have lived in Qatar since 2007, during which I translated 11 books into the Nepalese language, related to the customs and traditions of the people of Qatar, its laws and history.
I wrote a book entitled Qatar as I saw it because I have only seen tolerance, generosity and respect for others, regardless of their religion, gender, colour and affiliation in Qatar.”
He expressed his happiness with the reforms of labour laws in Qatar, describing them as “distinguished” at the regional level.
He said that the Ministry of Labour has made all possible efforts to make these new laws and legislation a reality for expatriate workers to experience and reap its fruits, including, but not limited to, the implementation of the new wage system, the possibility of changing the employer and ending the sponsorship system.
Prof Miya expressed the satisfaction of the Nepalese community, which number about 400,000 in Qatar, with the labour reforms, as well as the imminent start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which the world is eagerly awaiting.
He underlined that Qatar World Cup will be exceptional as it is held in Qatar, the country of peace and security; noting that the tournament is being held for the first time in the Arab region, and for the second time in Asia, after the 2002 FIFA World Cup which took place in South Korea and Japan.
Jaafar Abdulhamid, the co-ordinator of the Philippine community in Qatar, considered the reforms of the labour sector and work environment in Qatar “ideal”, and that large numbers of expatriate workers in the country benefited from them.
He noted that those who criticise Qatar regarding human rights do not have any evidence, which indicates that these campaigns are caused by envy and hatred, and an attempt to disrupt the tournament and tarnish the reputation without justification.
“The Philippine community lives in Qatar with satisfaction and reassurance, and the door for complaints is open for any problem,” Abdulhamid stressed, noting that the Filipino community considers itself a partner in Qatar World Cup through volunteering and organising some related events.
Kazim Saheed, co-ordinator of the African community in Qatar, hailed the countless reforms implemented by Qatar in the field of labour and protection of workers, benefiting hundreds of thousands of them especially with regard to the minimum wage law and the sponsorship system.
He underlined that African expatriate workers in Qatar as well as workers from other communities feel satisfied and reassured after these positive changes and updates in labour laws; adding that they are eager for the launch of World Cup Qatar 2022, and are excited to support the teams of the African continent and the brotherly Qatari team.