The Wage Protection System has been largely successful with workers' initial complaints such as inability to operate ATM machines being effectively dealt with by the authorities
Santhosh Chandran
Doha
One year on, the Wage Protection System (WPS), which mandates all companies in Qatar to transfer workers' salaries to their bank accounts, has been largely successful. Workers' initial complaints such as inability to operate ATM machines or carry out online transactions as well as presence of fewer ATM machines have been effectively dealt with by the authorities.
With growing familiarity with ATM machines and online transactions, as well as setting up of more ATMs in areas closer to their accommodations, the workers are reaping the benefits of the new wage system.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Aniz Abdullah, Assistant Manager of Al Mas Constructions, a small firm with 16 workers, said,"Initially, we faced technical difficulties such as delay in opening of accounts and subsequent crediting of the salaries of the workers due to their digital illiteracy. But, now, everything has been sorted out and both the management and employees of the company are happy with the new system."
A Sri Lankan expatriate worker staying in the Labour City at Asian Town, agreed:"Even though, Qatar is keen on protecting the rights of its working class, getting salary on time was always a matter of concern for us. Shortage of ATM machines in our neighbourhood was another challenge. But, things have improved a lot in the recent past. The number of ATMs in our area, for example, has increased by three fold in the last six months."
The administration manager of an engineering firm in East Industrial Area, said,"We are working as second or third level subcontractors on some big infrastructure projects. Our firms work mostly on credit basis and delays in getting our payment are very common for us. However, since the WPS was implemented, we were forced to invest additional capital to run the firm, and today at least our workers are getting their salaries on time."
A legal advisor at a law firm in Doha, said,"The complaints regarding non-payment or delay in the payment of salary, which were common a few years ago, especially among Asian workers, have declined sharply in the last six months."
An Asian social worker echoed the view that the ‘online transfer of salary' initiated by the government has greatly benefited expatriate workers.
"We ran campaigns frequently to familiarise workers with online banking and ATM machines so that they can use the machine on their own. The campaign benefited a large number of workers."
According to the social worker, while some of the big establishments provided proper training for the low-income workers on how to operate their accounts online and use ATM machines, some small and middle level companies continue to ignore the concerns of the illiterate workers who are unfamiliar with the new system.
A manager of a chain of restaurants in Doha said,"Whatever the initial issues may have been regarding the WPS, the system seems to have started paying its dividends to the workers. As for us, we have appointed an expert to guide workers on how to operate ATM machines and do online bank transactions."
Significantly, an employee of a leading bank said,"We have provided enough number of ATM machines for the convenience of our low-income customers at the newly developed residential areas for workers. The bank has also recruited additional employees to handle the WPS and address the grievances of customers in this regard."
Santhosh Chandran
Doha
One year on, the Wage Protection System (WPS), which mandates all companies in Qatar to transfer workers' salaries to their bank accounts, has been largely successful. Workers' initial complaints such as inability to operate ATM machines or carry out online transactions as well as presence of fewer ATM machines have been effectively dealt with by the authorities.
With growing familiarity with ATM machines and online transactions, as well as setting up of more ATMs in areas closer to their accommodations, the workers are reaping the benefits of the new wage system.
Talking to Qatar Tribune, Aniz Abdullah, Assistant Manager of Al Mas Constructions, a small firm with 16 workers, said,"Initially, we faced technical difficulties such as delay in opening of accounts and subsequent crediting of the salaries of the workers due to their digital illiteracy. But, now, everything has been sorted out and both the management and employees of the company are happy with the new system."
A Sri Lankan expatriate worker staying in the Labour City at Asian Town, agreed:"Even though, Qatar is keen on protecting the rights of its working class, getting salary on time was always a matter of concern for us. Shortage of ATM machines in our neighbourhood was another challenge. But, things have improved a lot in the recent past. The number of ATMs in our area, for example, has increased by three fold in the last six months."
The administration manager of an engineering firm in East Industrial Area, said,"We are working as second or third level subcontractors on some big infrastructure projects. Our firms work mostly on credit basis and delays in getting our payment are very common for us. However, since the WPS was implemented, we were forced to invest additional capital to run the firm, and today at least our workers are getting their salaries on time."
A legal advisor at a law firm in Doha, said,"The complaints regarding non-payment or delay in the payment of salary, which were common a few years ago, especially among Asian workers, have declined sharply in the last six months."
An Asian social worker echoed the view that the ‘online transfer of salary' initiated by the government has greatly benefited expatriate workers.
"We ran campaigns frequently to familiarise workers with online banking and ATM machines so that they can use the machine on their own. The campaign benefited a large number of workers."
According to the social worker, while some of the big establishments provided proper training for the low-income workers on how to operate their accounts online and use ATM machines, some small and middle level companies continue to ignore the concerns of the illiterate workers who are unfamiliar with the new system.
A manager of a chain of restaurants in Doha said,"Whatever the initial issues may have been regarding the WPS, the system seems to have started paying its dividends to the workers. As for us, we have appointed an expert to guide workers on how to operate ATM machines and do online bank transactions."
Significantly, an employee of a leading bank said,"We have provided enough number of ATM machines for the convenience of our low-income customers at the newly developed residential areas for workers. The bank has also recruited additional employees to handle the WPS and address the grievances of customers in this regard."