Labour conference reviews laws for workers’ welfare

Doha: The 8th Conference on Labour and Workers has reviewed the development of labour laws in Qatar to safeguard workers' rights highlighting the efforts of government and private sector to ensure a decent life for them.

Held under the patronage of Minister of Labour H E Dr. Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh Al Marri, and supported by Qatar Chamber, the conference was organised by Dar Al Sharq under the theme ‘Safeguarding Workers' Rights, Close Look and an Impact Beyond FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’ at Bin Jelmood House - Msheireb Museums yesterday.

The conference was attended by Ambassador of Turkiye to Qatar H E Dr. Mustafa Goksu; Qatar Chamber First Vice-Chairman Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari; Vice-Chairman of Qatar Lawyers Association Sheikh Dr. Thani bin Ali Al Thani; Deputy CEO of Dar Al Sharq Jaber Salem Al Harami, with other officials and guests.

The 7th edition of Workers’ Book entitled ‘Historical Testimonies’ was also launched at the conference. The book is a panorama that examined the reports of international organisations and then cited testimonies from European parliaments, newspapers, media outlets and international organisations lauding the achievements made in Qatar during past ten years for welfare of workers.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Jaber Salem Al Harami said that ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, 8th Conference on Labour and Workers, which Dar Al Sharq has been holding since 2014 under a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Labour, is being held as the first initiative of its kind adopted by any institution in the private sector.

Deputy CEO of Dar Al Sharq Jaber Salem Al Harami

“Since Qatar won the right of hosting of FIFA World Cup in 2010, the wheel of development has accelerated in all sectors with special focus on legislative and legal aspects, which were given priority by decision-makers,” said Al Harami.

He said that Qatar has become one of the most developing countries in terms of having a strong legal, legislative and regulatory system, and introducing new laws to keep pace with the fast development of the country.

“The laws and legislation that were amended or introduced to ensure suitable work environment, security, safety, wages, transfer of salaries to the employee’s account, minimum wages, among others, demonstrated a real will and firm determination of the authority to change for the better,” said Al Harami.

Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari said that the conference was organised at a time when Qatar is at the forefront in the most prestigious international indicators in the field of protecting workers’ rights.

He said that the labour reforms in Qatar are praised by all international partners, observers, European parliament and international organisations making the country a pioneer in this field in the region.

“Qatar has paid great attention to providing a safe and ideal work environment to expatriate workers following international charters and agreements by making wide-ranging reforms to protect rights of workers and ensure a decent life for them,” said Al Kuwari.

Head of Marketing and Communications at Msheireb Properties Dr. Hafez Ali said that the conference highlights the efforts of Qatar, government institutions and the private sector to safeguard workers’ rights.
“Msheireb Properties is committed to workers’ rights and ensures their safety as one of its priorities. In this context, it laid clear foundations, in full compliance with the laws in force in Qatar, and also took into account the various laws adopted by the International Labor Organisation concerned with this matter,” said Ali.

Two panel discussions were held at the conference. The first session entitled ‘Legislative and Legal Development is the Protection of Worker’s Rights’ was chaired by CEO of Hawkama Dr. Mansoor Al Saadi. 

The panellists included Vice-Chairman Qatar Lawyers Association Sheikh Dr. Thani bin Ali Al Thani, Health and Safety Manager Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Abdulla Al Bishri and Assistant Professor Qatar University Dr. Abdul Mutalib Siddig Makki.

The second session entitled ‘The Condition of Workers as seen by Leaders and Representative of the Communities’ was attended by leaders of expatriate community.

The panellists include Mohamad Ramadan, a representative of Nepalese Community, Saheed Kazeem, a representative of African Community and Amin Rasul, a representative of Bangladesh Community.

Conference highlights achievements in Qatar’s labour sector: Ministry

The Ministry of Labour has said that the 8th Conference on Labour and Workers organised by Dar Al Sharq is an occasion to highlight achievements made by Qatar in recent years. It is the culmination of a programme to reform and develop the labour sector and build a modern and competitive labour market for boosting investments and providing an attractive work environment for skilled workers.

The Ministry, in a statement, said that it is in line with the National Development Strategy based on Qatar National Vision 2030 which aimed at transforming Qatar into an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development, in a society that promotes the values of justice, equality and respect for human rights safeguarding interests of all parties and making balance between the rights of employers and workers.

The Ministry lauded the efforts of Qatari employers and companies and their keenness to implement laws and constructive cooperation with the Ministry, which has been upgrading its services constantly to enhance investment, support competitiveness, and increase the contribution of private sector companies to the economy, in accordance with the objectives of the National Development Strategy of Qatar.

The Ministry thanked Dar Al Sharq for organising the conference.