Qatar has become a model to be followed in the region’s labour market due to the various reforms undertaken by the country in this regard, an official has said.
Dr Ruba Jaradat, assistant director-general and regional director for Arab States, International Labour Organisation (ILO), said this while addressing a virtual celebration of the 75th United Nations (UN) Day.
She stressed that the Government of Qatar has taken bold steps and improved the country’s labour legislation for the better protection of foreign workers’ rights, including abolition of the kafala (sponsorship) system, establishing a fund to support workers, establishing the Wage Protection System and the inspection efforts of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA) to ensure the health and safety of workers at both worksites and accommodations. In addition, she noted the steps and measures taken to protect workers from heat exhaustion during the summer.
She also thanked Qatar, stressing that such great achievements have contributed greatly to improving the work environment, and also expressed hope for more co-operation with the country to continue with such developments and improvements through active partnership with the ILO.
Mohamed Hassan al-Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs at the MADLSA, spoke about the positive labour-related developments achieved in Qatar due to the ministry’s active partnership with various UN agencies, in particular the ILO. He also referred to the intensive efforts of the MADLSA to protect workers and raise their awareness regarding Covid-19, giving them all due care, assistance and treatment free of charge while also providing them with all the necessary humanitarian services and supplies in co-operation with Qatar Charity.
He stressed that the MADLSA will continue with its efforts to guarantee the stability of the labour market and sustain the continuity of recruitment and employment of workers in spite of the challenges involved, especially in the light of Covid-19.
The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations office, in co-operation with Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organised the virtual celebration of the 75th United Nations Day, as part of the anniversary of the founding of the international organisation, which falls on October 24 every year.
HE the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed bin Hassan al-Hammadi, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Dr Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Muraikhi and representatives of various UN agencies attended the event.
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