Qatar has become the jewel of MENA not by empty slogans and exaggerated public relations exercises but through leading the regional countries by setting imitable examples of commitment, care and performance. From science and education to sports and every sphere of life, Qatar is advancing towards a glorious future. To safeguard migrant workers’ rights and wellbeing, Qatar has been consistently introducing new laws and these sincere efforts also won global appreciation. It is a very proud moment for Qatar, as top officials of international labour bodies have urged other
nations in the region to follow the footsteps of Qatari leadership and implement the kind of labour reforms Doha has been rolling out in the last few months.
Qatar has signed as many as 36 robust agreements with countries that provide much of its labour force to protect workers’ rights and regulate their recruitment in line with the new laws introduced as part of the reform process. Qatar is also setting up a fund, which will help settle overdue wages of workers if their employers fail to pay. The state is also set to announce a minimum wage for workers; the kind of path-breaking reforms unheard in the region.
Sharan Burrow, General-Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, lauded the courage showed by the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs H E Dr Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi backed by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani in introducing steps to make migrants workers’ life better.
“We have a new era in Qatar”, are not only words of appreciation but an endoresement of Qatar’s untiring endeavors to
safeguard rights of all individuals living in the country either Qatari citizens or migrant workers from distant lands who are contributing in the development of Qatar. She has also urged Doha’s neighbours - Suadi Arabia and UAE - to follow the footsteps of the courageous leadership of Qatar.
Last week, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), took a unanimous decision to close the complaint submitted in 2014 claiming the failure to maintain a legal framework sufficient to protect the rights of the migrant workers. The complaint was closed in recognition to the progress made by Qatar which introduced amendments in labour law to protect rights of workers and pledged further reforms as well as technical cooperation with the concerned UN bodies.
The ILO Director-General Guy Ryder welcomed the commitment of Qatar to engage in substantive cooperation with the Organisation for the promotion and protection of workers’ rights, and looking forward to the successful implementation of the cooperation programme over the next three years. This is indeed a proud moment for the State of Qatar to be considered as a torch bearer of reforms in the region and moreover this will touch the life of thousands of people in a very positive way.
