Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro addressing the International Workers’ Day celebration organised by Dar Al Sharq at the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel. Pic: Salim M
Doha: Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro has said that Qatar adopted many projects for labour reforms implementing the second phase of the National Development Strategy 2018-22 under the title ‘competent and committed workforce sector’.
“The projects aim at developing the current wage protection system, establishing a minimum wage, attract skilled workforce and ensure that workers’ voices are heard through an improved complaint mechanisms and setting up joint labour committees,” said the Minister.
He said that the labour reform projects also aim at strengthening the capacity of the labour inspectors, training and qualifying them to carry out the tasks entrusted to them, and conducting awareness campaigns, information, counselling and guidance, and other projects that work to ensure the rights of workers and employers as well.
The Minister was speaking at an event organised by Dar Al Sharq to mark International Workers’ Day under a theme ‘Qatar’s Contribution on Protecting Workers’ Rights and ILO Centennial’ yesterday.
The event was attended by representatives from International Labour Organization (ILO), Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs.
The Minister also inaugurated the book entitled ‘Qatar’s Contribution to Protect Worker’s Rights and 100 years of ILO’ at the event.
The Minister said that on May 1, the world celebrates Workers’ Day in recognition of the efforts of workers in various productive sectors by the international community and ensure that the workers should receive complete care in accordance with human rights standards in general, which are stipulated in all international charters and agreements. “Qatar has attached great importance to the mutual rights and obligations of employers and workers, and has committed itself to the need to provide care and protection to this factor and to create a safe and stable work environment that increases productivity safeguarding their rights, health and safety,” said the Minister.
He said that the reforms move aims to transform Qatar by 2030 into a distinct country capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring the continuation of decent living and decent work for all its employees, both citizens and residents.
“Qatar is witnessing an all out development, especially in the economic, developmental and social fields. This unprecedented development has attracted large numbers of expatriate workers who make their contribution in the social and economic development of the country,” said the Minister.
He said that Qatar has made continuous efforts to implement measures and reforms and upgrade labour laws and job markets in response to the growing importance of issues of employment, labour and workers in Qatar.
“The celebration of the International Workers’ Day this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which since its inception has been one of the main pillars in helping the countries of the world organize the relationship between the three parties,” said the Minister.
He said that the State of Qatar, through its technical cooperation agreement with the ILO, has implemented many projects, programs and plans, through which many tangible achievements have been achieved on the ground.
H E Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousef Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro stressed that the State of Qatar has paid close attention to the mutual rights and obligations of employers and workers and has committed itself to providing care and protection to the worker and creating a safe and stable work environment that enhances his productivity without compromising his rights, health and safety. His Excellency pointed out that the celebration of the International Workers’ Day on the first day of May each year, comes in recognition of the international community of the worker’s efforts in various productive sectors, and in recognition of their achievements, and stressing the need for the worker to receive comprehensive and integrated care, in accordance with the standards of human rights in general, and for workers in particular, and provided for by all international conventions and agreements.
In this context, HE the Minister expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to all employees of the State, citizens or residents, noting that the workers in any country are the foundation of its renaissance and the basis of its progress and development, stressing that all are partners in building the nation and its progress and prosperity in our hands.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sheikh Thani bin Ali Al Thani, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the event said: “We in Qatar celebrate this occasion and participate with the ILO in a series of contributions by the government, public institutions and private sector companies, making Qatar the leading country in the region in enacting progressive protectionist legislation and measures.”
He said that there have been numerous national achievements in this area to include the legislative and legal sector and numerous amendments to labour laws.
“Last year, we celebrated the Fifth Labor and Workers ‘Conference organized by Dar Al Sharq with the State’s efforts to protect workers’ rights and the rights of the workers of 2022 FIFA World Cup projects,” said Al Thani.
Speaking at the event Cornne Vargha, Director International Standards Department of ILO and Mthunzi Mdwaba, Vice Chariperson of ILO Governing Body lauded Qatar’s efforts for labor reforms. A separate panel discussion was also held on ‘Modern Standard Practices for Protection of Workers and Rights and Legislation Issued by Qatar’.
Speaking at the session, Houtan Homayoupour, Director of the ILO office in Qatar said that Qatar deserves to be praised in the light of the unprecedented measures and legislation that it has taken in favor of expatriate workers. He said Qatar has taken a number of effective measures during the past period, cancelling the exit permits for the vast majority of expatriate workforce, and is scheduled to witness this year another action that is to cancel the travel permit for all residents without exception in the procedure which is first of its kind in the whole region.
Capt. Nasser Ali Al Khalaf, Head of Visa Section at the Ministry of Interior, said that Qatar Visa Centers will be opened in Philippines in August. He pointed out that multiple visa centers had been opened in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. He added that the aim of these centers is to facilitate the worker and the employer, where all services are carried out in the country of the worker.
Makbule Sahan, ITUC Legal Director said that the Union is very happy with the measures taken by the State of Qatar, noting that the State of Qatar made a wonderful journey to provide care and protection for expatriate workers.
