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QNA
Doha
THE State of Qatar reiterated its commitment to continue taking all measures aimed at balancing the relationship between employers and protecting the rights of expatriate workers, ensuring a strong and stable labour market, improving the working environment and increasing investment opportunities.
Qatar also stressed the importance of launching a package of policies and legislative amendments to achieve the goal of decent work for both citizens and expatriates in order to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 and the goals of the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Yousuf Mohammed al Othman Fakhro made the remarks during the joint workshop on labour law reform organised by Qatar Chamber and the inistry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs in collaboration with International Labour Organization, and the Institute for Human Rights and Business.
Fakhro also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the employers' representatives and their role in raising awareness of the government's reform programmes, whether at the level of legislation or procedures aimed at creating a work environment that encourages the business sector.
He referred to Qatar's reforms in the protection of workers' rights, including Law No 13 of 2018 which amends the provisions of Article 7 of the Entry and Exit of Expatriates Law, abolishing the exit permits for workers subject to the provisions of the Labour Law, except 5 percent of employees at the maximum, whose nature of work requires the need to take prior consent to leave the country.
He stressed that the legislative amendments introduced to the Labour Law aim to establish and promote a balanced and productive working relationship between employers and employees.
SC's Workers' Welfare Executive Director Mahmoud Qutub addressed the 'Labour Law Reforms in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities for Business'.
He explained how the SC is working with contractors to help repay workers more than QR34 million in recruitment fees over the next three years.
Qutub said,"No worker should bear the cost of recruitment fees. It should be borne by the contractor. We engage with contractors to help them understand the benefit of reimbursing workers and to reiterate it is simply the right thing to do."
