Lecture for workers on forced labour

Lecture for workers on forced labour

Qatar Foundation for Combating Human Trafficking (QFCHT) yesterday organised an awareness lecture for about 350 workers, entitled “Forced labour in the light of Qatari national law on combating human trafficking”, at the Workers Health Centre in Industrial Area.   The lecture was delivered by legal expert at QFCHT Dr Mahmoud Said, tackled a number of topics, including the national and international  legislative framework on combating the exploitation of workers in forced labour. He said most cases of human trafficking in the world take the form of  forced labour, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates.

15-year jail term for duo for possessing contraband

The Criminal Court has sentenced two youths to 15 years in jail and imposed a fine of QR300,000 each for possessing hashish and other narcotic substances, local daily Al-Sharq has reported. The court also ordered that the second accused, who was accused of damaging police vehicles as well, be deported on completion of the prison term, according to the report. Contraband was found in the houses of both accused while cash was recovered from the residence of the second youth. The Public Prosecution referred the two youths for trial after they were accused of trying to import hashish and other narcotic pills with the intention of trading them. One of the youths was also accused of damaging cars owned by the anti-narcotics department of the police, the report said. The police, on receiving specific information, conducted a raid in the house of the first accused and found bags containing 83,858 narcotic pills; the youth admitted that he owned them. He then informed the police about the other youth. The second accused was then contacted and he claimed to have some narcotics and bullets at home. The police then raided his house and found hashish there along with 50 bullets. When the police tried to catch the youth, his car collided with their vehicles and caused some damage to them, the report said. Work in progress to open six markets in Umm Salal

Work is under way to complete the construction of six markets in Umm Salal so as to meet the growing demand for such facilities in the area, which has seen a steady increase in its population, local daily Arrayah has reported. A source in the Ministry of Business and Trade told Arrayah that the markets were coming up on Umm Salal Mohamed Street and Al Kharatiyat Street. The source said each of these markets would include 30 stores and offices as well as the various services demanded by the residents. Every application would be inspected to ensure conformity with the regulations of Civil Defence and the municipality before being granted a licence, according to the report. The markets on Umm Salal Mohamed Street are expected to be ready in two months, said the source.

al khaliji hosts seminar on reducing ‘foodprint’

Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) hosted a seminar titled “Healthy Eating for a Healthy Planet” at the bank’s headquarters in Al Jazi Tower.   The seminar was organised in line with the bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy to create greater environmental awareness among staff members and raise awareness on food waste, while encouraging them to reduce “foodprint”. “The seminar was a perfect opportunity to brief our staff on the importance of caring for the environment and how everyone has a role in its conservation. In today’s world, where the footprint of mankind’s activities is having bigger consequences every day, it is imperative that everyone gets involved in a greener way of life to assure a better future for the coming generations,” said Abeer al-Kalla, head of PR and communications at al khaliji. As the theme for this year’s World Environment Day (WED) campaign was “Think.Eat.Save”, the seminar emphasised the importance of protecting the planet and promoting an understanding that each individual can play a significant and effective role in tackling environmental issues.  Attendees in the seminar learnt that every year, about 300mn tonnes of food is wasted as producers, retailers and consumers discard food that was or still is fit for consumption. With food production and choices exerting massive pressure on the environment, the seminar informed attendees that the typical modern-day diet was too high in saturated fat, sugar and salt, and too low in fibre, which is bad for our health as well as the environment. Other issues discussed during the seminar included encouraging people to reduce meat consumption, enjoy fruits and vegetables, help reduce waste by allowing for better use of purchases and cut down on unnecessary purchases. It could be recalled that al khaliji, for the third consecutive year, was the platinum sponsor for the series of activities organised by International Academy for Intercultural Development (IAID) in association with Friends of the Environment Centre (FEC) to mark the WED celebrations in Qatar recently.

Aspire Zone to hold sports competitions for ladies

Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is encouraging more women to take part in sports competitions during Ramadan by holding tournaments specifically for them in basketball, handball and volleyball. Women can register without having a full team as the organisers will arrange teams for them. Interested women can send an e-mail to events@aspire.qa stating which game they wish to participate in. Since AZF announced the opening of registration for the third annual edition of its Ramadan sports activities, Hayyakum B Aspire, there has been an overwhelming response from the public and several slots are already full. Designed to allow people to participate in a variety of sports in a fun and friendly environment, the competitions will be held from July 14 to 28 during the evening. Prizes will be awarded to team winners and a variety of giveaways are also on offer for all participants. In addition to the sports tournaments, AZF is organising a series of cultural, religious and charity events targeted at the entire family. AZF president Hilal al-Kuwari said, “As AZF believes that Ramadan is for the entire family, activities have been designed for all members of the family to enjoy regardless of age. While our sporting festivities are open to those who are 16 years or above, families and friends are encouraged to come to Aspire and cheer them on.”   Hayyakum B Aspire is a community-inspired event and an example of AZF’s year-long commitment to encouraging healthy and active lifestyles among the residents of Qatar. Open to all members of the community, the various sports events will give individuals the chance to stay active through the hot summer months, while the educational activities will help residents learn more about Ramadan. The tournaments and various cultural, religious and charitable activities will be held across Aspire Zone. Slots are still available for the following sports: football (male), beach soccer (male), basketball (male and female), flag football (male), handball (female), volleyball (female) and radio-controlled car racing (male and female). Registration for over 16-year-olds can be done through http://www.aspirezone.qa/ramadan. Protocol on eliminating illicit trade in tobacco products signed QNA/New York Qatar has signed the protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. The protocol was signed by the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad al-Thani at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on Tuesday.   The signing ceremony was attended by the Representative of UN Secretary General and Head of the Treaty Section Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli. The protocol aims at eliminating all forms of illegal trade in tobacco products by requiring parties to take measures to control the supply of tobacco products and to co-operate internationally on a wide range of matters, including licensing, tracking and tracing, record-keeping, security and preventive measures, sale by Internet or international transit and duty free sales.   The protocol was adopted in November 2012 in Seoul by the States Parties to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and was opened for signature at the beginning of January 2013.   The State of Qatar is the 19th country signed the Protocol which requires the ratification from 40 States Parties to WHO to enter into force.

Culture Minister to open summer activities tent

HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari will open the summer activities tent for youth ‘Summer 2013’ tomorrow. The event will remain open until July 8. The tent, which is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage’s Youth Activities and Events Department, will feature diversified activities including games, painting, reading, electronic games, in addition to theatre and talent shows. Clubs taking part in the tent are: Al Ahli, Al Khor, Al Rayyan, Al Sadd, Al Shama, Al Arabi, Al Gharrafah, Qatar and Al Wakrah. Youth centres such as Barzan, Al Jasra, Al Jemailiyah, Doha Youth, Al Thakhira, Semaisma and Al Ki’ban.  Girls will also take part in the event. Call to deal with unregulated labour Legal experts have urged that a proper mechanism be set up to deal with the issue of unregulated labour in the country, which is a result of the sale of visas by brokers, local daily Arrayah has reported. It has come to light that many labourers have obtained work visa on the payment of sums ranging from QR12,000 to QR15,000 in addition to an annual payment of QR3,000 for renewal of their residence visa. They claim that their sponsors have commercial registration but do not carry out any business. So, these workers look for jobs and accommodation with other parties or work for sub-contractors, says the report. The experts say there are many dubious companies and agents that bring workers to Qatar and leave them in the lurch. To deal with this problem, they say some of the laws governing the recruitment of workers need to be amended. They also stress the importance of intensive inspection campaigns by the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Interior to address this issue. The experts say the possibility of legalising a large number of these workers can also be considered by giving them jobs in companies and factories. This will help prevent visa trading, they add. A lawyer has told Arrayah that the presence of unregulated labourers also has some benefits; these include doing small jobs for nationals and those that need not be performed by companies.