Labour and Workers Conference discusses reforms

Doha: The 7th Annual Labour and Workers Conference has highlighted the efforts of the State of Qatar on caring workers and safeguarding their rights. 

The speakers and panellists also focused on the laws and legislation made by Qatar to reform labour sector and compliance of private sectors with the laws.  

The virtual conference was held yesterday under the theme ‘Caring workers is a moral duty and a legal obligation’.

The event was organised by Dar Al Sharq under the aegis of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA).

During the opening session, Chairman of the Workers’ Welfare Awards Committee, Mohamed bin Towar Al Kuwari announced the winners of 7th Labour and Workers Welfare Award.

UrbaCon Trading & Contracting Company (UCC) won the award for the best company in workers care during pandemic for the year 2020. Al Jaber Engineering and Tekfen Alliance Company bagged the award for the best company in occupational safety and health for the year 2020. 

Hamad Bin Khaled Contracting Company (HBK) received the award for the best labour accommodation. Dean of the College of Law and Head of the Legal Clinic at Qatar University, Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, won the award for best personality for workers’ welfare. The award of best labour personality went to a security guard, Abdullah Riyaz.

Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli 

Addressing the opening session of 7th Annual Labour and Workers Conference, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at MADLSA, Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidli said that this conference provided a platform to highlight the efforts of the State, employers and the private sector in caring workers during the pandemic.

He said that the event also provides opportunity to discuss the labour laws and reforms which keep pace with changes in labour market following Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Obaidli said that Qatar is witnessing remarkable economic and developmental growth which requires huge number of skilled workers in various fields, especially since the State has taken upon itself the commitment to the highest standards of quality in production and the provision of services in accordance with international labour standards in achieving comprehensive development in the country.

“This year’s conference coincides with the implementation of new legislation that is the culmination of the labor sector reform and development program that has been implemented in recent years in order to support decent work and build a modern and competitive labour market that contribute to providing an attractive work environment for skilled workforce and works to stimulate investment.”

Al Obaidli said the Ministry is working to implement these new legislations, which contribute to encourage investments, developing private sector and providing appropriate environment to encourage companies to invest in Qatar.

He pointed out that these achievements come in response to the Qatari government’s pledges to develop its laws to meet international labour standards, for the benefit of both employers and workers, and with the aim of building a modern and dynamic labour market in line with the national development strategies derived from Qatar National Vision 2030 to promote the values of justice and equality in the society.

He said that private sector institutions have succeeded in implementing the requirements of occupational safety and health at workplaces and workers’ accommodation which is one of the essentials for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, achieving development and raising productivity. Al Obaidli thanked Dar Al Sahrq for holding this important conference.

Abdul Latif Abdullah Al Mahmoud (left) and Mohamed bin Towar Al Kuwari (right) honouring COO at HBK Ramzi Dahdah. 

Chairman of the Workers’ Welfare Awards Committee, Mohamed bin Towar Al Kuwari, lauded MADLSA and Dar Al Sharq for presenting real picture of the conditions of workers in Qatar.

Speaking about the Workers’ Welfare Award, he said that it is another pioneering initiative by Dar Al Sharq to honour companies with excellent performance in worker welfare during the pandemic, in occupational safety and health, worker housing, and the best personality of the year as well as the best worker.

He said that this committee includes members from the MADLSA, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), the Public Works Authority (Asghal), the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Qatar University, as well as the legal clinic at the College of Law at Qatar University, Qatar Chamber and other public figures.

Sultan Al Jamali

Assistant Secretary General of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Sultan Al Jamali said that the protection of workers’ rights is one of the core axes that seek to raise the national level, along with all the basic rights included in international charters, agreements and national legislation.

He highlighted some of the efforts made by the NHRC to take care of workers’ rights, especially during the pandemic. Al Jamali said that the pandemic had an impact on various aspects of human activity, which reaffirms the need for non-discrimination in all local, regional and international fields.

Meshaal Al Hitmi

Manager of Shared Services Affairs at Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Meshaal Al Hitmi said that Ashghal is building the best infrastructure projects in the world in which hundreds of thousands workers are working.
He said that Ashghal, which made extra care on health and safety of workers, launched health and awareness initiatives, under which about 82,000 workers received health services.

CEO of Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC), Eng. Issa Galadari, said that that company was at forefront  in following the precautionary measures announced by the State to combat the outbreak, especially for workers at worksites to ensure their safety.

Eng. Issa Galadari 

He said that a number of measures have been taken such as wearing masks, reducing the number of workers in the main office, social distancing among employees in offices and worksites, conducting remote meetings, and providing sterilizers, masks and hand gloves to employees.

Deputy CEO of Dar Al Sharq and President of the Conference, Jaber Salem Al Harami, affirmed Dar Al Sharq’s keenness as a partner to contribute to the success of all events to highlight the entities’ achievements.

He said that the 7th Annual Labour and Workers Conference considers a different celebration due to the circumstances imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in exceptional situations.  “We are confident that we will pass this phase, which will be a memory that may be painful, but distinguished experiences and exceptional achievements were highlighted,” said Al Harami.

Jaber Salem Al Harami

The participants in a session themed ‘The Private Sector and Workers’ welfare - In-depth Look’ held under the conference emphasised the role played by the private sector in caring workers by presenting a number of experiences to some of the largest private sector companies in the country, in addition to the role played by the Ministry of Interior in implementing the precautionary measures taken by the authorities concerned.

In this regard, Executive Vice-President of Ezdan Holding Group Hani Dabash, said that during coronavirus pandemic, Ezdan was keen to take measures to protect workers’ rights and employed a number of experts and skilled labor to operate at its facilities efficiently.

Hani Dabash

For his part, Mohammed Al Khatib from Mowasalat (Karwa), said that Mowasalat is keen to provide a suitable work environment for the employees of the company, as it provided a fully furnished residential headquarters, restaurant and cafeteria services with various menus to suit different nationalities, and a fully equipped medical center with emergency services and security services around the clock.

Mohammed Al Khatib

Under the conference, a session was held on ‘Human Rights and Governmental Organizations and Workers’ Welfare’. Dr. Buthaina Hassan Al Ansari moderated the session.

Dr. Buthaina Hassan Al Ansari

Speaking in the session, Director of Health and Safety at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), Eng. Abdullah Al Bishri said that the SC has taken all necessary measures in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health, following the guidelines of the World Health Organization, to protect workers from the spread of the pandemic.

He said that a guide was issued in many languages that includes all the necessary preventive instructions. Al Bishri said that SC so far carried out 8,000 inspections of work sites and workers’ housing to ensure compliance with preventive measures. He said that workshops were also held to educate the workers about the preventive measures against the virus.

Al Bishri said that SC prepared designated places in stadiums to conduct a coronavirus tests for those in contact with infected workers, and it has a hotline with the MoPH to communicate directly in emergency cases.

Eng. Abdullah Al Bishri

He said that SC, in coordination with MoPH, three months ago started a drive vaccinate workers in three stages, and the majority of workers were vaccinated during that period to protect them from infection.

Director of Quality and Safety Department at Ashghal, Dr. Eng. Ali Al Marri said that Ashghal pays great attention to health, safety and environment requirements for workers’ housing, and obliges contracting companies to implement these requirements.

He said that as part of the efforts undertaken by Ashghal to limit the spread of the coronavirus, the Authority has worked with its contractors and consultants to develop and implement a plan that includes preventive measures to protect workers and employees, to prevent the spread of viruses and to limit and control the transmission of infection.

Dr. Eng. Ali Al Marri

Head of Health Environment Section at PHCC, Nida Mansour said that the corporation is working to ensure the health and safety of medical and paramedical staffs working in the front lines to combat COVID-19 and their families by taking necessary preventive measures.

A session under the conference was held on ‘Qatari Legislation to Protect Workers, Legal Approach’. Chairman of Al Sulaiti Law Firm, Mubarak Al Sulaiti, praised the reforms in the labuor law that keep pace with the development of the labor market and guarantee the rights of employee and employer.

He said that the economic development and openness witnessed by Qatar made it distinctive destination for investors and manpower.