Permanent Population Committee (PPC), in co-operation with the UN Population Fund (UNODC) for the GCC, and the International Organisation for Migration, organised yesterday a workshop on management of expatriate workers and opportunities and challenges in the Gulf. The conference was also attended by experts, academics, representatives of ministries and civil society members.
The aim of the workshop was to consider the management of expatriate workers from the perspective of studying the realities and future of labour mobility policies in GCC countries, to familiarise participants with the international concepts of the term immigrant, and to clarify the difference between a permanent immigrant and a migrant worker.
On the occasion, HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics and PCC chairman, Dr Saleh Mohammed Salem al-Nabit, said that Qatar has been receiving over the past 10 years migrant workers exceeding 2mn. “They come from different countries, working in different service sectors, living in a climate of co-operation and collaboration with Qatari citizens and enjoying all the rights recognised by Qatari legislation and complying with their duties,” he said.
In his speech assistant under-secretary at the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, Sultan al-Kuwari noted that due to the insufficient Qatari human resources to achieve the country’ ambitious development plans, the state has been bringing in manpower with the levels and specialisation required by these plans, with the duration of labour stay in the country linked to the duration of the projects. “These workers then return home with resources and expertise to help them improve their living conditions and contribute to the development of their countries of origin.”
Al-Kuwari pointed out that the migration of expatriate workers to the GCC countries differs from the rest of known international migrations, which led to different systems
the laws adopted by GCC states.
He noted that migrants to regions such as Europe, Americas or elsewhere are often permanent migration, which requires the development of legislation different from those involving migrants who come under fixed-term employment contracts and return to their home countries upon the expiration of the
working contracts.
“While Qatar appreciates the efforts of its expatriates, whether experts or ordinary workers, it is also keen to address the effects that large arrivals and the diversity of their nationalities and cultures can have on the demographics and cultural characteristics of the Qatari society,” al-Kuwari said.
He highlighted the consequent challenges in terms of increasing pressure on key services such as health, education and infrastructure and other public services, which the state is keen to provide to ensure safe and dignified living conditions for the whole population of the country.
GCC countries are among the most attractive countries for employment, with an estimated 50% of the total population being expatriates. These large numbers have contributed to the achievement of ambitious development projects in those states, but they have also led to a number of challenges in the economic, social, political and security areas. (QNA)