Reforms ensure on-site safety of expatriate workers: govt

Qatar is committed to its labour reform programme and is constantly reviewing its policies to ensure that expatriate workers receive the necessary on-site protections, the Government Communications Office director HE Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed al-Thani said yesterday.“Qatar was the first country in the Gulf to implement restrictions on summer working hours, exceeding those of neighbouring countries,” he explained in a statement released by the official Qatar News Agency (QNA).In addition to issuing harsh financial penalties, Qatar is also the only country in the Gulf that shuts down companies that are found to be operating in violation of the ban, he pointed out.Qatar continues to co-ordinate closely with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and international NGOs to implement reforms that will improve the health, safety and rights of migrant workers.In March, the Government of Qatar submitted statistics on all work-related deaths in the country for 2016 to the ILO, and this data is publicly available on the ILO website, HE Sheikh Saif added.Meanwhile, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) said yesterday that it is committed to promoting and protecting the welfare, health and safety of all workers building stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In a statement on its website, the SC said it acknowledges the concerns raised by Human Rights Watch (HRW), which were discussed at length with HRW representatives over the last few weeks. “However, we whole-heartedly refute the suggestion the SC has “abdicated responsibility” or that the SC has failed to protect the lives of workers on our projects. “We have received constructive feedback from HRW on the Humidex system. We are continuously striving to enhance the system and are exploring new approaches, such as capturing data on a year-long basis. In addition, as we communicated to HRW, we are also considering their recommendations in relation to the Wet Globe Bulb Temperature system. “However we remain of the view that the Humidex system, which is internationally recognised, is an accurate and effective method of monitoring work conditions on site. Indeed, HRW has recognised the efforts made to protect workers on our sites during hotter times of the year. “To date there have been two work-related fatalities and nine non-work related deaths of workers engaged on our projects. The SC profoundly regrets the death of any worker, and we treat every incident with the utmost seriousness.   “However, the SC does not have the authority or mandate to determine cause of death, which is reflected in death certificates issued by the medical authorities in Qatar. HRW has received all information available from those death certificates. The role of the SC is to oversee health and safety on our sites and ensure our Workers’ Welfare Standards (WWS) are implemented.”