The first phase of the new recruitment mechanism, under which work visa-related procedures are to be completed in the home countries of expatriate workers before they arrive in Qatar, will come into effect on October 12, when the first QVC opens in Sri Lanka.
These and other details of the initiative were explained yesterday at press conference in Doha by officials from the ministries of Interior (MoI), Public Health (MoPH), and Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA).
Present at the press meet were Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidali, assistant undersecretary for labour affairs at the MADLSA; Major Abdulla Khalifa al-Muhannadi, director of the Visa Support Services Department at the MoI; and, Dr Ibrahim al-Sha’r, director of the Medical Commission Department.
Overall, 20 QVCs will be opened in eight countries over the next few months, the official Qatar News Agency reports.
The centres will operate based on an integrated electronic system for the implementation of procedures such as medical examination, fingerprint and biometrics, and the signing of work contracts for expatriates outside the State, under the supervision of and follow-up by the authorities concerned within Qatar.
Stressing that the MoPH is concerned with the health security of the country, Dr al-Sha’r said that conducting the medical examination of expatriate workers prior to their arrival in Qatar will help reduce the risk of the arrival of some cases of serious diseases such as HIV/Aids or hepatitis, as well as some chronic diseases or injuries that may be an obstacle for a worker in performing the work for which s/he is recruited.
He said that the Medical Commission is the first defender to prevent the incursion of any disease that is dangerous to the health of the community.
Dr al-Sha’r also stressed that the Medical Commission will constantly follow-up on the approved medical examination centres outside the State to ensure the validity and quality of tests conducted for foreign workers.
According to a brochure explaining the procedures, the expanded medical check-up will include a vision test, vaccination, and a physical examination by a doctor in addition to the standard blood test and X-ray.
Meanwhile, assistant undersecretary for labour affairs at MADLSA al-Obaidali said that the aim of the initiative is to simplify and facilitate procedures for employers, as well as to provide more protection to expatriate workers coming to work in Qatar.
He stressed that the project comes as a confirmation of the role of Qatar in the care and protection of the rights of expatriate workers, through the application of the highest international standards in this regard.
He said that prior to the start of the project, meetings were held with the labour attaches of countries that supply workers to Qatar to discuss the launch of the QVCs.
The process starts here in Qatar, where the employer or recruiter applies for approval of foreign worker visas based on work contracts according to the applicable regulation through the MoI website or Metrash 2.
When the approvals are granted, the applicant can proceed with necessary procedures at the available QVC at his own country.
Al-Obaidali said the new system would considerably help in reducing the number of labour disputes, such as over fraudulent contracts and illegal fees collected by recruitment agencies from employees in the country of origin.
In addition, both the employer and employee would have a clear picture of the agreed terms and conditions, and hence the protection of the rights of both would be ensured.
MoI Visa Support Services director Major al-Muhannadi said that the ministry has been working on the completion of the project for more than a year, in view of its importance in providing more advanced and easier services.
Following the opening of the first centre on October 12, the Sri Lankan labour-providing companies should recruit workers through this centre and the new electronic mechanism, he added.
He said that the services provided by these centres, including QVC of Sri Lanka, will be initially limited to fingerprinting the worker, recording vital data, conducting medical examinations and signing the contract of employment, with new services to be added in the future, including documentation of scientific and practical qualifications, and wage protection system, in accordance with a transparent mechanism that protects the worker and the employer.
The service comes within the framework of the MoI’s keenness to provide excellent electronic services that will help deliver its services to applicants easily and save time and effort, he continued.
The official said the service aims to ensure the speedy completion of transactions to start work immediately after entering the State, as well as avoid cases of workers returning to their home country if they are found unsuitable for the purpose for which they were brought.
The project utilises advanced systems in medical check-ups and biometric and fingerprint processing, ensure the compliance of both employers and employees with the terms and conditions of the contract, adopt a more transparent and responsible recruitment system, and enhance the importance of e-government services as a fixed and first choice for applicants.
On how the system works, he explained that after the necessary approvals for recruitment – whether as employees of companies or as domestic workers – are obtained, the role of these centres begins by receiving these workers and registering their entry.
This will be followed by handing over the contract for signing, fingerprinting, vital data entry, medical examination, final approval, and issuance of the visa.
The official said the procedures within the QVC will take only one hour, while the results of the tests will be available in 24 to 48 hours.
Once the expatriate worker arrives in Qatar after getting the visa, the residency permit card will be issued shortly, and he or she can start work immediately.
Major al-Muhannadi said that all steps to apply for recruitment of Sri Lankan workers from the QVC are available on the MoI website and Metrash2, indicating that the procedures of recruitment are the same as the old ones.
The official noted that the project has been implemented through co-operation between the MoI, the MADLSA, the MoPH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which will monitor and supervise the services provided by the QVCs.
Major al-Muhannadi stressed that the QVCs will operate according to international standards, and will be monitored by the relevant authorities within Qatar.
He said the system of work mechanism was tested between service centres outside Qatar and the Visa Support Services Department at the General Directorate of Passports.
Major al-Muhannadi recalled that at the end of 2017, the MoI had entered into a contract with an international service supplier to prepare and equip the QVCs.
He said the construction of these centres took into consideration the highlights of Qatari architecture while maintaining modern features that will facilitate smooth operations.
Each centre has an adequate number of counters arranged in a way that will ease the flow and progress of work, and employees can process all the necessary procedures in one place.