DOHA: The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has concluded the campaign on the right to health for workers under the slogan 'Healthy Workers for Sustainable Development', which was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, the Primary Health Care Corporation, the Qatar Red Crescent, the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Qatar.
Secretary-General of the National Human Rights CommitteeSultan bin Hassan Al Jamali and Executive Director of the Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund Kholoud Saif Al Kubaisi handed over the campaign shields and certificates of appreciation to the partners, stakeholders, owners of participating companies, and representatives of community offices, during the closing ceremony held at the committee’s headquarters.
Al Jamali stressed that protecting and promoting workers’ rights in the country is a continuous and ongoing process, as it is closely linked to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, which establishes an integrated system of strategies in which workers represent the cornerstone.
He added, during his speech at the closing ceremony, that the state's path to protecting workers' rights is not linked to an activity or a limited time map, rather it is a message and a future vision related to enhancing decent living for people and preserving their dignity, stressing that workers who enjoy their full and undiminished health rights are one of the basic pillars for achieving sustainable development and contributing to the renaissance of nations and the civilization of peoples.
The secretary-general of the committee expressed his pride and appreciation for the effective participation of the committee’s partners in the campaign, adding that the campaign is a step towards developing a strategy for intensive joint work with the United Nations in Qatar, which will be developed in the coming weeks in a roundtable meeting with all offices under the umbrella of the United Nations office.
Al Jamali thanked the partners of the committee’s mission in protecting and promoting human rights, noting the voluntary participation initiative that indicates openness towards cooperation and bridging the paths of collective action towards societies that enjoy their full rights.
He also thanked all stakeholders, including owners of large companies, factories, small industries, and communities with a high labour density in Qatar, stressing that their positive participation reflects their deep understanding of the importance of educating their workers, in order to implement their basic rights.
For his part, Assistant Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Ministry of LabourSaad Rashid Al Nabit stressed the ministry’s keenness to participate and contribute to the success of the campaign, with the aim of promoting the concept of occupational safety and health, and raising the awareness of employers and workers of the importance of providing a safe and healthy work environment. Heappreciated the keenness of the National Human Rights Committee to promote the work environment and ensure the worker’s right to a safe work environment, calling for more coordination regarding this constructive partnership.
For his part, Senior Legal Advisor at the Primary Health Care CorporationAbdul Hadi Hazza Abdul Hadi Daraa praised the campaign organised by the committee to raise awareness among workers and employers of the right to health and its impact on sustainable development, stressing that the establishment of the National Human Rights Committee by Qatar reflects the state’s keenness to devote and enhance rights and freedoms.
In turn, Representative of the World Health Organization Office in Qatar Dr Rayana Bouhaka said that the campaign highlighted specific programs such as occupational health and safety, and promoted health for all, especially workers.
She added that the success of the campaign depends on increasing awareness of rights and duties among workers and business owners through the campaign's activities, noting the development of future plans that can be implemented to enhance the right to health.
She stressed that the World Health Organization office in Qatar, along with partners in the health sector, focuses on the importance of occupational health and workplace safety to improve health and avoid risks that could affect the health of workers.
For his part, Director of Al Hamila Health Center affiliated with the Qatar Red Crescent Dr Mohammed Marhaf Al Akshar said that the campaign is a link in a series of extended efforts made by Qatar to promote workers’ rights, to preserve the health of the entire society, appreciating the efforts made by all parties to make the campaign a success.