The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC) has welcomed three new partners for its Better Connections Programme: Ooredoo, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and Qatar Ports Management Co (Mwani Qatar).

Three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed in this regard, under which Ashghal and Mawani Qatar will make sure that their contractors provide facilities equipped with ICT tools and Internet connection for their migrant workers, while Ooredoo is the free Internet connectivity provider.

Waleed al-Sayed, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar, said: “Ooredoo believes in the power of mobile communication to provide opportunities for everyone and we are delighted to support this digital inclusion programme, which will expand the educational, employment and entertainment horizons of migrant workers in Qatar.

“Working with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, we will provide incredible connectivity for this programme on the Ooredoo Supernet and support efforts to provide basic ICT skills training.”

Meshaal Sultan al-Hetmi, shared services affairs director at Ashghal, said: “We are delighted to co-operate with the Ministry of Transport and Communications through this memorandum, which reflects the authority’s keenness to enhance workers’ welfare and improve their conditions.

“The memorandum aims to enhance communication between workers and the world around them by developing their skills and abilities to use technologies and digital communication from their residences. The authority will encourage the contractors to provide information technology and communication facilities in the workers’ residences to support their needs.”

Mohamed Abdullah al-Maadeed, support services CEO at Mwani Qatar, added: “We are glad to join the Better Connections Programme and aim to enhance the communication channels between workers and the outside world by boosting their digital skills and enabling them to use ICT (information and communication technology). That collaboration also backs the State of Qatar’s development plans in order to further improve workers’ conditions.”

The MoTC, in the earlier stages of the programme, had signed MoUs with a number of institutions and companies, aiming to cover as many worker beneficiaries as possible. These include RAF, Rota, Microsoft Qatar, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Foundation, National Human Rights Committee, Qatar Rail, Ezdan Holding Group, Msheireb Properties, Qatar Fuel (Woqod), CH2M and QDVC.

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