DHAKA: Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) HE Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari affirmed that the State of Qatar has made great efforts with regard to developing labour laws and legislation to protect and promote the rights of expatriate workers and support improving the conditions of workers, employees and their families.
Dr Al Kuwari noted, during a ceremony organized by the Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh on the occasion of signing a memorandum of understanding with the committee, the legislative developments related to human rights in Qatar.
This is especially true with regard to allowing workers to change their employer according to soft and specific conditions within the law, in addition to obligating the domestic workers' law with owners Working at maximum working hours, with a paid weekly holiday and annual leave, as well as revoking exit permits for migrant workers by law, which would enhance and protect the worker’s right to freedom of movement and travel.
He referred to the formation of labour dispute settlement committees, which issue their verdict within three weeks, as well as the establishment of the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund, which constitutes a guarantee that workers will receive their dues even in the event of the employer's refusal.
The vice-chairman of the National Human Rights Committee affirmed that the memorandum of understanding signed by the committee with the Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh aims to strengthen relations between the two sides in the areas of promoting and protecting human rights, especially the rights of workers from Bangladesh, noting the distinguished role played by the Bangladeshi community in the State of Qatar and their participation in the development process.
The memorandum includes enhancing cooperation between the two sides in line with international agreements, participating in training programs on human rights issues conducting joint research, as well as carrying out joint awareness activities in the field of human rights.
Dr Al Kuwari met with a number of officials at the visa centre of the State of Qatar in Bangladesh, where he was briefed on the services provided by the visa centre and the procedures it follows in serving workers nominated to work in the State of Qatar.
The vice-chairman of the committee called for taking preventive measures to protect expatriate workers in Qatar and to ensure that the worker arrived in the country in accordance with the official procedures recognized in accordance with Qatari and Bangladeshi law, and to raise awareness on this.
