The Exit Permit Grievances Committee has been able to successfully "process" more than 70% of the applications it had received since the formation of the panel was announced on December 11 last year.

Set up in accordance with Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the Entry, Exit and Residency of Expatriates in Qatar, the committee is tasked with solving the problems faced by expatriate workers who are denied permission by their employers to leave the country. It comprises representatives of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the ministries of Labour and Interior.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Interior Ministry said the Grievances Committee had received 498 applications until January 25 from expatriates who presented different problems in securing a travel permit.

"The committee has successfully accomplished around 70% of the applications that complied with the set regulations through friendly communication with the recruiters and granted immediate exit permit approvals for 29% of the applications ."

Brigadier Salim Saqr al-Muraikhi, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and head of the committee, pointed out that the panel has held more than 10 meetings since its formation, with up to three meetings a week at times to review the exit permit applications.

Giving details, the release said of the 498 applications, the committee straightaway approved the issuance of 20 exit permits, and facilitated the issue of 296 permits after friendly coordination with the recruiters. "However, 177 applications had to be referred to the entities concerned in the country for these being out of the scope of the committee's work. These include 138 applications linked to absconding reports, 22 applications from persons who worked for other than the recruiter, six linked to the Department of Labour, and 11 referred to the Human Rights Department. In addition, five applications were rejected as the applicants had been included in the travel ban list or they are demanded by the Public Prosecution."

Brigadier al-Muraikhi said that most of the cases were resolved in a friendly manner and "it turned out that the persons authorised by companies to approve the expatriate workers' exit permits were the main reason behind the delays ". He said communication with the companies' management facilitated the immediate approval of these permits.

Law No 21 of 2015 abolished the Kafala (sponsorship) system, replacing it with a modernised, contract-based employment system.

While announcing the formation of the committee, Brigadier al-Muraikhi had said the employer was duty-bound to sanction any leave due to the employee which is mentioned in the contract executed between them. The employer is also liable to grant leave to his employee in the event of emergencies, according to Brigadier al-Murakhi.

The committee is able to reach a decision on granting travel permits to expatriates within three days after a request is submitted. Workers have the opportunity to contest before the committee any evidence that might have been used against them. Workers also have the opportunity to appeal for clemency, in cases where they owe debt but need to return home for a medical or family emergency.