Mohammed Al Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary of the Qatari Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor, Social Affairs (MADLSA), was honoured as a 2021 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Hero, the US Embassy in Qatar stated yesterday in a press statement.
Al Obaidly, with seven other individuals from around the world were honoured by Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State in a virtual ceremony hosted by the US Department of State, the statement read. In the report, eight individuals from around the world were recognised as 2021 heroes.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its official Twitter handle, stated: “In recognition of his efforts to reform laws and regulations related to migrant workers, the @StateDept honored today, Mr. Mohammed Al Obaidy the Assistant Undersecretary for @ADLSAQa, as one among eight heroes in the 2021 combat human trafficking report.”
The TIP Heroes award honours individuals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to fighting human trafficking. According to the press statement, Al Obaidly was honoured for his leadership in spurring reforms to the sponsorship system and addressing labor abuses in Qatar.
He initiated and carried out many policies and programmes that have helped trafficking victims in Qatar, including the creation of Labor Dispute Resolution Committees, elimination of exit permit requirements for migrant workers, implementation of a minimum wage, and the abolition of the No Objection Certificate.
"The Department of State applauds Al Obaidly’s persistence in implementing labor reforms to improve workers’ lives and prevent forced labor, and the Department looks forward to continuing to work with him and his colleagues to combat human trafficking," the embassy statement added yesterday
