EU: Qatar has made great progress in workers’ rights
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has underscored that Qatar made remarkable progress in workers’ rights over the past years.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides before the European Parliament, Borrell praised the reforms and legislation implemented by Qatar, saying that Qatar was the first Gulf state to abolish the (kafala) sponsorship system and adopt a new law that sets a non-discriminatory minimum wage for workers.
The European official pointed out that Qatar is at the forefront of ensuring strict control over infrastructure projects for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and many other projects.
He pointed out that Qatar’s organisation of the World Cup contributed to accelerating the pace of reforming its work system, calling for the need to continue encouraging it to achieve more progress in this field.
He affirmed the EU’s readiness to support and assist Qatar in human rights, indicating that Qatar has always been open and welcoming to cooperation in this field.
Borrell described the session held by the Subcommittee on Human Rights of the European Parliament last week with HE the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Smaikh al-Marri as “constructive,” explaining that the human rights situation in Qatar was discussed with great openness.