Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
A high-level delegation from European Parliament has admired Qatar’s success in supporting human rights and labour laws, praising the recent reforms made by the country. They said the Qatar’s labour reforms are a role model.
European parliamentarians stressed the importance of Qatar’s labour reforms and protection of workers ‘ rights, and considered that some of the campaigns waged against Doha are classified as "envy” and fall within political agendas.
At a press conference on Tuesday, members of the delegation expressed their happiness over improvements made by Qatar in the fields of labour, human rights, and major changes in the laws that served citizens and residents of the country.
"I was amazed to see all the improvements made by Qatar in all these affairs, especially in the women’s rights, and human rights. We visited many places in Qatar and met with many officials and people in the streets, everyone was amazed by the reforms made, and they praised the changes,” Prof Dr Tamara Kerkovic, a member of the delegation and member of the Serbian parliament, told Qatar Tribune.
"What I have seen in Qatar impressed me to say the list. The International Labor Organization helps the government of Qatar.”
"We visited the Ministry of Labour and saw the great efforts they are making. Qatar is trying to adopt very big changes to the law and human rights,” she said.
"I was very happy to see the hospitality by people over here, so I would like to thank you all,” she added.
Another member of the delegation, Italian Senator Cristiano Anastasi, explained: "I spent about three days in Qatar. I was interested in all this progress the country is seeing. Qatar has travelled very great distances to get to where it is now.”
"Qatar has developed not only laws, for human rights, workers and others, but also in the areas of population in the state because inclusive growth must be applied to everyone. Qatar is on the right way”.
The Italian senator added, "The big changes in Qatar impressed me. Qatar has made huge changes in the system of wages, labour and human rights. Qatar is now on the right track”.
For his part, member of the delegation and member of the UK House of Lords, Lord Qurban Hussain said, "Human rights in Qatar are in the best condition. We visited many places in the country and got acquainted with a lot of details. We visited workers’ dormitories and medical centers. And I noticed how the change was between Qatar 15 years ago and Qatar today. We appreciate all efforts for these huge developments”.
He added: " I appreciate the abolition of the sponsorship system in the country and the abolition of no objection certificates. These are positive steps towards freedom and support for human rights”.
The British member of the delegation stressed, "Qatar has signed a very important agreement with the European Union, which allows us to communicate easily, what we are seeing at the moment in Qatar is a good thing, Qatar is working on very big changes”.
Irish Senator Gerard Craughwell and expressed his thanks to all the officials in Qatar, saying, "We had the opportunity to see the amendments to the Qatari labour and human rights regulations on the ground and we saw the significant and noticeable amendments to the laws, these amendments are the beginning of a true path”.
On the visit the delegation had to Qatar, Romanian Parliament member Dumitru-Viorel Focșa said, "We were amazed by the great work that the Qatar has done in a few years, especially in the areas of human rights and labour.”
He reiterated: "Qatar is the first country in the region to achieve the abolition of the kafala system,” noting that these measures set an example for other countries in the region to follow.