The Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO GB), recently reviewed the important achievements and legislative reforms undertaken by the State of Qatar as part of its ongoing efforts to promote and protect the rights of expatriate workers in the country.
The Head of the ILO office in Doha presented a report on the important steps and actions made by the State of Qatar within a short period of time, and its cooperation with the labour organisation through the implementation of a number of programmes and activities relating to the promotion of the wage protection system, the development of plans and training for Labour Inspectors, combatting human trafficking, and measures relating to the recruitment process, the contract system and the strengthening of complaint mechanisms.
Members of the ILO Governing Body among governments, in particular the United States government, the governments of the European Union and Canada, as well as various employers and workers groups, commended the reforms undertaken by Qatar, including the abolition of the exit visas, the creation of a workers’ support fund and the creation of joint workers’ committees.
Members of the Governing Body also welcomed the constructive cooperation and the partnerships between the government of Qatar with a number of governments, including the US, the UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, as well as other partners – the International Organisation for Employers (IOE), the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (BWI) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF).
Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli stressed the cooperation and desire of Qatar to ensure a productive working environment that is beneficial to all parties in the work system and to abide by the international labour standards and the ratified conventions. He also encourage everyone to continue with all partners to provide a safe working environment and protect the rights and interests of all parties.
He extended thanks and appreciation to the partners of Qatar for their support and to ILO, for achieving activities and objectives of the Technical Cooperation Programme.
