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The introduction and implementation of a non-discriminatory minimum wage by Qatar’s government has helped improve the standards of living of workers and their families, said Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC).
On March 20, 2021, Qatar’s non-discriminatory minimum wage of QR1,000 came into force, applying to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including the domestic workers.
The employer must additionally provide QR500 per month for accommodation and QR300 per month for food unless provided by their employer.
“During our interaction with workers, we received very positive feedback about the benefit of the minimum wage,” Dr. Al Kuwari told Qatar Radio recently.
The NHRC Vice-Chairman said workers told them they had improved their own and their families' living conditions. He said the measures have had a positive impact on the workers.
“During my visit to labour camps as NHRC Vice-Chairman, I received very positive feedbacks from workers about their situation in Qatar. They told me that the money they earned in Qatar helped them improve their social status in Qatar and in their home country,” he added.
Al Kuwari said workers were being provided suitable accommodations to lead a happy life. He said all the facilities and necessities of life were being provided inside the labour accommodation complexes. For example, he said, the Labour City in Mesaimeer, which is of international standards, covers an area of over 2 million sqm and accommodates 100,000 workers. The housing unit includes services like a hospital, clinics, a shopping complex, a cricket stadium, cinema halls, restaurants and other facilites.
Meanwhile, speaking about the human rights violation allegation against Qatar, Al Kuwari said such campaigns are being run by entities and individuals with vested interests on baseless grounds.
With the huge influx of expatriate workers, Qatar has developed laws and legislation to keep pace with the requirements of human rights, specifying their rights and duties. Among the laws introduced by Qatar is the abolition of the sponsorship system (Kafala), a step that received global appreciation.
Now with amendments over time, the law allows employees to work based on their work contracts — enabling them to change jobs and travel whenever they want to.
To safeguard the workers' rights, a Labor Dispute Settlement Committee was set up at the Ministry of Labour to solve their cases on a fast track basis within a week or two, he said.
The Wage Protection System (WPH) ensures workers receive their salaries on time without delay, and under strict monitoring by the authorities concerned.
To protect workers from heat stress during summer, working in outdoor workplaces and shaded places that are not equipped with appropriate ventilation is prohibited from 10am until 3:30pm. The decision is being implemented strictly by the Ministry of Labour. The inspectors visit the sites to check violations.
