New measures ‘soon’ to improve conditions of expatriate workers

Qatar has played a key role in raising the standard of living of people in labour-exporting countries by providing employment to a large number of foreign workers, HE the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Dr Abdulla bin Saleh al-Khualifi said yesterday, quoting a recent study conducted by academics at the University of Chicago .The study highlighted that  Qatar played an important role in reducing income inequality and realising  fairness in the distribution of wealth, the minister said.  “That  is not surprising as 85% of workforce in Qatar are temporary labourers, who transfer the biggest portion of their income to their countries of origin, thus providing  quality health services and better education for their families,” he said.Speaking after inaugurating a conference on workers’ rights,  Dr al-Khulaifi said Qatar was  about to take many measures to improve the conditions of guest workers. Referring to the steps already taken to safeguard the rights of workers , he said the government had introduced a wage protection system and opened offices across the country to receive complaints. The conference was held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdulla bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. HE the Labour Minister  released the White Book 2015, containing a report on the progress achieved in the protection of workers’ rights.Dr al-Khulaifi said his ministry had been conducting talks with the World Labour Organisation to co-operate in a technical programme “that covers labour inspection, occupational health and safety, the international work standard, and the development of the capabilities of the employees of the Labour Inspection Department”.He said  the Labour Inspection Department and the Recruitment Department had been able to enhance awareness on the importance of the workers and the importance of the partnership between the worker, the employer and the various organisations of the state. The minister said the number of labour inspectors, who are trained with a special focus on safety and health issues in workplace and the protection of workers’ wages,  has been increased to  264.