89% of workers benefit from Qatar’s labour reforms: MoL

THE Ministry of Labour (MoL) has said Qatar is constantly keen and has always stresses that a safe and healthy work environment is a necessity, and that the safety of workers is a priority for it.

About 89 percent of workers in the country have benefited from the labour laws and legislation, according to a survey conducted by the institute of research and studies at Qatar University.

Qatar’s efforts in this regard are not made to satisfy a particular party, states, individuals or organizations. But they are based on a religious, moral, humanitarian and constitutional standpoint, and in accordance with the authentic customs and traditions of its people, as well as their civilizational values in terms of generous hospitality.

Under the directives of its wise leadership, and before winning the honor of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the State of Qatar was keen to enact a lot of legislation and laws and carry out extensive reforms in the labor environment, in line with the highest standards in the international labor sector. There is no doubt that the pace of these efforts has increased and witnessed environmental reforms. The labor market witnessed many positive changes, that were praised by all concerned parties, especially the International Labour Organization (ILO), which opened its office in Doha.

Despite the implementation of the reforms and their positive effects on workers, some unscrupulous people kept repeating their allegations, ignoring, and even being skeptical about those reforms and labor achievements, as they are far away from responsibility, truth and transparency.

The report, issued by the ILO office in Qatar, affirmed the Qatari government’s implementation of reforms, the Ministry of Labour’s keenness on the continuity of labor legislative reforms, and the continuation of the partnership with the organization beyond the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, through continuous cooperation programs in the development and modernization of reforms and legislation with various international organizations.

THE report focused on the strong partnership between the Ministry of Labour and the ILO, and the leading role played by the organisation’s office in Doha, which is the first in the region, in this field.

Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs at the Ministry Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli explained that the technical cooperation with the ILO in previous years came at the request of Qatar, noting that the joint programmes and projects have enhanced opportunities to benefit from international experiences and apply global standards in the labor sector.

He said Qatar has become a role model in the region in the field of labour, and it will start showing its distinguished initiatives at the Asian labour ministers conference to be held at the end of this year in Singapore.

Obaidli hailed the commitment of Qatari employers and companies to labour laws and legislation.

He pointed out that Qatar has always believed in constructive dialogue, cooperation and coordination with various international and human rights organisations, in the interest of the country’s labour market, adding that the laws and reforms that have been implemented come within the development strategy and in implementation of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Very few labour complaints received by the ministry, compared to the number of workers in the country, he said.

Regard the false media allegations surrounding the labour issue, Obaidli said that Qatar is being subjected to a fierce and systematic misleading media campaign, aimed at undermining it as it will host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

He said the laws Qatar enacted and the reforms it implemented, as well as the positive results of these efforts that have been reflected on the expatriate workers, are the best response to refute these allegations.

Obaidli also affirmed that Qatar is steadfastly moving forward with its efforts and will continue to work with the relevant authorities to complete the reform process and enhance the state’s position as a pioneer of change in the region, without paying attention to those who try to dissuade it.