HE the Minister of Labour Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Smaikh al-Marri has said that Qatar adopted many legislative and administrative reforms and established a partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2017, as part of supporting the country's ambitious efforts to reform the labour sector.
In an interview to Al-Sharq newspaper published Sunday, HE al-Marri stressed that the State has adopted many reforms in order to achieve the conditions for compliance with international labour agreements and their requirements that are ratified, such as principles and basic rights to work in the country.
He pointed out that several goals have been achieved since that time, and this contributed to achieving the National Vision 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.
HE al-Marri explained that the ministry, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-operates with the labour-exporting countries through continuous communication with their diplomatic missions, as well as with the communities that represent these workers in everything that would avoid and solve the problems and obstacles that the expatriate workers may face in the country.
Regarding the ILO's praise of the labour conditions in Qatar, and the reforms that have been made to correct these conditions, HE al-Marri said that Qatar has been a pioneer in modernising labour legislation and laws, regulating the labour market and developing mechanisms for their implementation to ensure the preservation of the rights of both employers and workers, and this made the State achieve qualitative goals in this field.
He added that Qatar witnessed a number of reforms in the labour sector since the abolition of kafala system in 2015, until last year, which witnessed the decision to raise the minimum wage, and the establishment of a specialiaed committee to protect the minimum wage, according to the recommendations of the comprehensive independent evaluation, the establishment of the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund, and adopting the workplace inspection policy and occupational safety and health systems in accordance with international standards.
He explained that Qatar was keen to adopt legislation that abolished the kafala system and allowed the transfer from one employer to another, and cancelled exit permits and no-objection certificates when changing the employer.
The State has also adopted many legislations related to combating forced labour and exploitation, as well as legislation regarding the election of workers' representatives in joint committees.
On the Qatarisation of jobs in the private sector, he stressed that it is one of the most prominent priorities of the ministry during the coming period, and agreements will be concluded with various private sector institutions to reach understandings about the jobs they need and the possibility of qualifying and training human cadres to those jobs.
HE al-Marri noted that in the coming period, a new platform will be launched, through which citizens can check the available jobs in the private sector and choose the appropriate jobs in line with their qualifications and experience.
He pointed out that the ministry will intensify monitoring of private sector companies and entities subject to the Labour Law, to ensure the implementation of policies and plans for Qatarisation, and obligating companies and entities to which the law applies to implement Qatarisation policies, adding that in the event that it is proven that any of the private sector companies, to which the law applies, have violated Qatarisation, strict measures will be taken against them.
He pointed out that several goals have been achieved since that time, and this contributed to achieving the National Vision 2030 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.
HE al-Marri explained that the ministry, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-operates with the labour-exporting countries through continuous communication with their diplomatic missions, as well as with the communities that represent these workers in everything that would avoid and solve the problems and obstacles that the expatriate workers may face in the country.
Regarding the ILO's praise of the labour conditions in Qatar, and the reforms that have been made to correct these conditions, HE al-Marri said that Qatar has been a pioneer in modernising labour legislation and laws, regulating the labour market and developing mechanisms for their implementation to ensure the preservation of the rights of both employers and workers, and this made the State achieve qualitative goals in this field.
He added that Qatar witnessed a number of reforms in the labour sector since the abolition of kafala system in 2015, until last year, which witnessed the decision to raise the minimum wage, and the establishment of a specialiaed committee to protect the minimum wage, according to the recommendations of the comprehensive independent evaluation, the establishment of the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund, and adopting the workplace inspection policy and occupational safety and health systems in accordance with international standards.
He explained that Qatar was keen to adopt legislation that abolished the kafala system and allowed the transfer from one employer to another, and cancelled exit permits and no-objection certificates when changing the employer.
The State has also adopted many legislations related to combating forced labour and exploitation, as well as legislation regarding the election of workers' representatives in joint committees.
On the Qatarisation of jobs in the private sector, he stressed that it is one of the most prominent priorities of the ministry during the coming period, and agreements will be concluded with various private sector institutions to reach understandings about the jobs they need and the possibility of qualifying and training human cadres to those jobs.
HE al-Marri noted that in the coming period, a new platform will be launched, through which citizens can check the available jobs in the private sector and choose the appropriate jobs in line with their qualifications and experience.
He pointed out that the ministry will intensify monitoring of private sector companies and entities subject to the Labour Law, to ensure the implementation of policies and plans for Qatarisation, and obligating companies and entities to which the law applies to implement Qatarisation policies, adding that in the event that it is proven that any of the private sector companies, to which the law applies, have violated Qatarisation, strict measures will be taken against them.
