The Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, H E Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, presenting a memento to Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnerships, International Labour Organization (ILO), Moussa Oumarou, in
Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo has said that the State Cabinet approved a draft law on minimum wages.
“The State Cabinet also approved a draft law to make rules to ease transfer of workforce to other employer during contract period to ensure the rights of both parties (employer and employees),” said H E Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo while addressing a ceremony to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) held yesterday at Katara.
The Minister said the Cabinet approved another draft law to end exit permit for those who are not subject to the provisions of Qatar’s Labour Law and domestic workers and these laws will come into effect immediately after completion of (remaining) legislation process.
The event was organised by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in cooperation with ILO and other stockholders under a theme ‘The Future of Work in Qatar’.
For the welfare of workers, the Ministry said that Qatar made a number of new laws and upgraded the existing one during past few years to build a suitable work environment based on work contract.
His Excellency said that the new legislation included Wage Protection System; Labour Disputes Settlement Committee; Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund; Law Regulating Entry, Exit and Residency of the Expatriates and National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking.
He pointed out that the government of Qatar expresses its appreciation for the technical support provided by the International Labor Organization (ILO) to achieve the outputs of the Technical Cooperation Program and the Ministry is extending its support to ILO office Doha to implement the plan which it agreed.
The Minister said that Qatar released commemorative coins on the occasion of ILO Centenary recognizing the role of ILO in establishing social justice and a great cooperation between Qatar and ILO in labor sector.
Addressing the event, Deputy Director General for Field Operations and Partnerships, Moussa Oumarou said: “Congratulations, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs for the landmark reforms that you have just announced in front of this august assembly. I thank you on behalf of the ILO for taking this bold and transformative step, a first in this region.” He said that ILO stands ready to support Qatar with the modalities of their enforcement.
“We have an ILO team of dedicated professionals working closely with MADLSA colleagues here in Qatar, supporting the ambitious labour reforms that the State of Qatar has embarked on,” said Oumarou.
He added every day, they facilitate dialogue between the government, employers and workers to ensure that the reforms that are being considered have everyone’s support and buy-in.
“Two weeks ago, for example, the ILO was parts of a dialogue between MADLSA, the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in cooperation with the International Organization of Employers, on the role of business in migration governance and labour reforms,” he added.
Three panel discussions were held on ‘The Future of Work in Agricultural Sector’, ‘The Future of Work in Tourism Sector’ and ‘The ILO Centenary Declaration: A Global Perspective on the Future of Work’. Representatives from the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs; Ministry of Municipality and Environment, ILO and other national and international organisation participated the panel discussions. Qatar joined the ILO in 1972 and an Office of ILO opened in Doha in 2018, which supports the Government’s program to develop labour procedures.
