As part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the lot of migrant workers in the country, the cabinet yesterday gave the green signal for the establishment of a special unit that would ensure timely disbursement of wages.
After the cabinet’s regular meeting, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Zaid al-Mahmoud said the cabinet approved the draft decision by the minister of labour and social affairs to establish a unit for wage protection at the Department of Labour Inspection.
The cabinet also approved a draft decision by the labour minister on “wage protection system” which made it compulsory for employers to pay workers covered by the labour law through banks.
The draft decision included a commitment by employers to pay workers by crediting their wages to state banks and financial institutions within seven days of the due date. All employers are required to “adjust their situation” in line with the provisions of the decision.
Violators may be prevented from acquiring new work permits, via a ministerial decision. If the employer fails to transfer wages one month after the due date, their transactions with the ministry may be put on hold. The suspension does not include ratification of work contracts though, and it shall be lifted when the employer provides proof for the
transfer of outstanding wages.
The draft decision on setting up a section for wage protection stipulates that the new unit will be responsible for supervising a programme that protects workers who are covered by the labour law and make sure their salaries are paid on time, in collaboration with concerned state entities.
The cabinet also approved a draft decision by the minister of labour and social affairs, amending some provisions of Law No 17 of 2005 on defining the terms and conditions of appropriate housing for workers.
HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani chaired the cabinet’s regular meeting on its premises at the Emiri Diwan yesterday.
