+ A
A -
Ailyn Agonia
DOHA
The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) is currently working with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to address cases of false absconding charges against workers, according to MADLSA Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs HE Mohamed Hassan al Obaidly.
In a virtual panel discussion on ‘Labour Reforms in Qatar’ co-organised by MADLSA and the Embassy of Canada in Qatar on Monday, Obaidly said employers cannot resort to filing absconding cases against workers who complain as a means of retaliation.
“Currently, absconding cases will not allow a worker to change employer if this came before the request. But, we are currently working with the MoI to make sure that employers cannot file absconding cases against workers when they decide to change jobs. I would like to reiterate that employers cannot display a retaliatory behaviour against the workers who complain. If the employer is claiming the worker has left work, they have to submit such complaint before the MADLSA and we will be following up on the case,” Obaidly said.
He pointed out instances of some employers filing absconding cases or complaints against workers who are still staying in the company accommodation. Obaidly also addressed concerns raised against companies who continue to violate the Wage Protection System (WPS), stressing that measures will be taken against such companies.
On the non-compete clause in job contracts that prohibits workers from transferring to a direct competitor of their current employer, Obaidly said this will be further clarified through a ministerial decision.
The webinar participated in by representatives of trade unions, NGOs, diplomats and members of other key institutions discussed the latest reforms that were adopted in Qatar. The webinar was moderated by Houtan Homayounpour, head of International Labour Organization (ILO) Office - Qatar.
The removal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC), which makes it easier for all foreign workers in Qatar to switch employers, and the introduction of minimum wage are hailed as historic and unprecedented steps to protect migrant workers.
In her remarks, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar HE Stefanie McCollum said the webinar is another example of the strong and growing Canada-Qatar bilateral relationship.
She said, “There are a range of Canadian companies and institutions active here in education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, retail, legal services and communications. Canada expects them to be reputable and law-abiding employers. Reforms are also important because Canadians citizens are employed under the labour law here. Roughly, 9,000 Canadians work and live here with their families and they are the foundation of our people-to-people ties between the two countries. So, we want all employees to be fairly compensated and treated. Therefore, labour reforms are not only important for Canada and Qatar, it is about all of us.”
Ambassador Greta Holtz, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Doha, said: “We also look forward to a continuation of more reforms, including for domestic workers.”
Vani Saraswathi, editor and director of Projects at Migrant-Rights.org, described the removal of NOC and exit permit, which were earlier implemented, as promising steps in the labour front for Qatar.
She said, “One of the strong points of abolishing NOC is that it can be done online, which means face-to-face interaction that can be quite intimidating to most workers with employers is removed. That is a good thing and the minimum wage is a step in the right direction.”
Also in the panel were Jeffrey Asselstine, managing director of Nelson Park Prop & Board Member of the Canadian Business Council Qatar, and Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, legal adviser at the Qatar Chamber.
DOHA
The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) is currently working with the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to address cases of false absconding charges against workers, according to MADLSA Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs HE Mohamed Hassan al Obaidly.
In a virtual panel discussion on ‘Labour Reforms in Qatar’ co-organised by MADLSA and the Embassy of Canada in Qatar on Monday, Obaidly said employers cannot resort to filing absconding cases against workers who complain as a means of retaliation.
“Currently, absconding cases will not allow a worker to change employer if this came before the request. But, we are currently working with the MoI to make sure that employers cannot file absconding cases against workers when they decide to change jobs. I would like to reiterate that employers cannot display a retaliatory behaviour against the workers who complain. If the employer is claiming the worker has left work, they have to submit such complaint before the MADLSA and we will be following up on the case,” Obaidly said.
He pointed out instances of some employers filing absconding cases or complaints against workers who are still staying in the company accommodation. Obaidly also addressed concerns raised against companies who continue to violate the Wage Protection System (WPS), stressing that measures will be taken against such companies.
On the non-compete clause in job contracts that prohibits workers from transferring to a direct competitor of their current employer, Obaidly said this will be further clarified through a ministerial decision.
The webinar participated in by representatives of trade unions, NGOs, diplomats and members of other key institutions discussed the latest reforms that were adopted in Qatar. The webinar was moderated by Houtan Homayounpour, head of International Labour Organization (ILO) Office - Qatar.
The removal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC), which makes it easier for all foreign workers in Qatar to switch employers, and the introduction of minimum wage are hailed as historic and unprecedented steps to protect migrant workers.
In her remarks, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar HE Stefanie McCollum said the webinar is another example of the strong and growing Canada-Qatar bilateral relationship.
She said, “There are a range of Canadian companies and institutions active here in education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, retail, legal services and communications. Canada expects them to be reputable and law-abiding employers. Reforms are also important because Canadians citizens are employed under the labour law here. Roughly, 9,000 Canadians work and live here with their families and they are the foundation of our people-to-people ties between the two countries. So, we want all employees to be fairly compensated and treated. Therefore, labour reforms are not only important for Canada and Qatar, it is about all of us.”
Ambassador Greta Holtz, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Doha, said: “We also look forward to a continuation of more reforms, including for domestic workers.”
Vani Saraswathi, editor and director of Projects at Migrant-Rights.org, described the removal of NOC and exit permit, which were earlier implemented, as promising steps in the labour front for Qatar.
She said, “One of the strong points of abolishing NOC is that it can be done online, which means face-to-face interaction that can be quite intimidating to most workers with employers is removed. That is a good thing and the minimum wage is a step in the right direction.”
Also in the panel were Jeffrey Asselstine, managing director of Nelson Park Prop & Board Member of the Canadian Business Council Qatar, and Abdul Rahman Sulaiman, legal adviser at the Qatar Chamber.
