Coordinators and officials of a number of communities in the State of Qatar praised the reforms of the labour sector in the State, and the improvement of the work environment in accordance with the highest international standards, expressing satisfaction with the achievements made by these reform, and with the good treatment and care they receive in a dignified and tolerant society.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the coordinators and officials underlined that the information about violations of the rights of expatriate workers, mistreatment and neglect are contrary to the truth and reality, and are based on false information, stressing that reality is far a way from the baseless and fabricated reports. They described the campaigns that Qatar has been subjected to since it won the honor of hosting the World Cup in 2010 as directed and vain and has cheap goals; adding that these campaigns are greatly exaggerated because some normal accidents that occur here and there during the construction of giant infrastructure are normal and can be occurred in any country. They noted that no country can claim perfection, or the application of democracy and the fulfillment of all human rights in the world, even the West itself.
They highlighted the tangible achievements made in the field of labour, including ensuring safe and healthy work environment, ease of sponsorship transfer and change of work, the clear benefit from the minimum wage system, and the extension of the period of working hours during which work in open places is prohibited during the summer in order to reduce the effects of heat stress; in addition to opening communication channels to receive any complaints, whether through the Ministry of Labour, the National Human Rights Committee, or the Human Rights Committee at the Ministry of Interior, and other great benefits.
They added that the worker must be aware of his rights and defend any exploitation or violating of the law in a state where the rule of law and justice prevails.
Santosh Pillai, one of the coordinators of the Indian community in Qatar, said, “We are satisfied with the reforms that Qatar has achieved in the work environment and laws, and we have seen them closely. There are some minor challenges, but we are satisfied with what has been done.” Pillai noted that communication has become easier with the three parties - officials, employers and workers - which in turn facilitates addressing any problem that may arise in a way that satisfies everyone, referring to the Indian community’s contributions to hosting the World Cup through volunteering and the cultural events it will hold in Katara Cultural Village on this occasion.
For his part, Dr. Mohan Thomas, President of the Indian Sports Center in Qatar, said: “I have lived in Qatar for 40 years during which I have not witnessed any derogation of my rights or any member of my community. We are in a state of justice and the rule of law, in which no one is oppressed. Therefore all accusations against Qatar in this regard are just lies, and we are very sorry to hear that because it is far from the truth.” Dr. Thomas valued the legislation and laws adopted to reform the work environment in Qatar, which he said meet the needs of workers, adding; “Wages are now paid on time, and any delay for more than a week exposes the entity and the employer to legal accountability.” Pro. Mohammad Ramzan Ali Miya, the coordinator of the Nepalese community in Qatar, said: “I have lived in Qatar since 2007, during which I translated 11 books into the Nepalese language, related to the customs and traditions of the people of Qatar, its laws and history. I wrote a book entitled ‘Qatar as I saw it’ because I have not seen in Qatar but tolerance, generosity and respect for others, regardless of their religion, gender, color and affiliation.” He expressed his happiness with the reforms of labour laws in Qatar, describing them as “distinguished” at the regional level. He said that the Ministry of Labour has made all possible efforts to make these new laws and legislation a reality for expatriate workers to experience and reap its good fruits, including, but not limited to, the implementation of the new wage system, the possibility of changing the employer and ending the sponsorship system.
Pro. Mohammad Ramzan Ali Miya expressed the satisfaction of the Nepalese community, which number reach about 400,000 people in Qatar, with the labour reforms, as well as the imminent start of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which the world is eagerly awaiting. Jaafar Abdulhamid, the coordinator of the Philippine community in Qatar, considered the reforms of the labour sector and work environment in Qatar “ideal”, and that large numbers of expatriate workers in the country benefited from them.
He noted that those who criticize Qatar regarding human rights do not have any evidence, which indicates that these campaigns are caused by envy and hatred, and an attempt to disrupt the tournament and tarnish the reputation without clear justifications.
For his part, coordinator of the African community in Qatar Kazim Saheed expressed the African community’s great welcome for the countless reforms implemented by Qatar in the field of labour and protection of workers, benefiting hundreds of thousands of them especially with regard to the minimum wage law and the sponsorship system. He underlined that African expatriate workers in Qatar as well as workers from other communities feel satisfied and reassured after these positive changes and updates in labour laws; adding that they are eager for the launch of Qatar World Cup, and are excited to support the teams of the African continent and the brotherly Qatari team.
