Qatar will continue to improve workers' lot even after World Cup

The Ministry of Labour has renewed its keenness to apply the best international standards to ensure the security and safety of expatriate workers, and its commitment to implement all legislative updates that the labour sector has witnessed on a continuous and sustainable basis, beyond the FIFA Qatar 2022 Championship, noting that the development of legislations has become a strategic option for Qatar, both on the short and long term.
In a statement on the occasion of the International Workers' Day, which falls on the first of May each year, the ministry confirmed that it will do its utmost to ensure the health and safety of workers by strengthening precautionary measures and health requirements at work sites and workers' housing, in line with international standards related to occupational safety and health, noting that one of the most prominent updates and developments in the work environment during the past ten years was the update and development of many legislations that contributed to improving and upgrading the work environment, in order to keep pace with the best international standards regarding the protection of workers' rights.
The Ministry explained that its distinguished partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and many international organisations contributed directly to supporting and promoting development and modernisation in the work environment in Qatar, which has prioritised opening of new horizons for joint cooperation with international organisations , in the interest of workers and employers.
It noted that its celebration of this occasion aims to shed light on the achievements made by workers, and their contribution to the comprehensive development in the country, noting that the celebration of International Workers' Day comes this year, with the upcoming organisation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, especially since the preparations for it constitute a real opportunity to review and develop laws and procedures regulating the labour market and workers rights, based on the teachings of the true Islamic religion and the provisions of the Qatari constitution, and in recognition of the importance of updating legislations and effectively improving the work environment within the country because of its positive impact on various levels of production in all sectors.
The ministry pointed out that Qatar has implemented legislations , including the abolition of the exit permit, and the abolition of the No Objection Certificate from the previous employer. Qatar has raised the non-discriminatory minimum wage, established visa centers in labour-sending countries to ensure that workers are not subjected to abuse in their countries of origin and established a support fund, securing workers' financial rights.
The pioneering legislations that has been implemented also included promoting a safe and healthy work environment, taking measures to protect workers from hazards of heat stress, extending the period during which workers may not be employed under sunlight, establishing labour dispute settlement committees, inaugurating the wage protection system, and tightening oversight to ensure commitment to the approved standards of occupational health and safety in workplaces and housing, the issuance of a law to regulate and protect the rights of domestic workers, and a new draft law that provides for mandatory health insurance for all residents and visitors, and the development of a labour complaint mechanism which includes a hotline in 11 languages in all branches of the Department of Labour Relations in the Ministry.
The Ministry expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to the workers who, through their continuous efforts, achieved comprehensive development, stressing its commitment to making more unremitting efforts aimed at promoting and protecting workers' rights and providing a safe and healthy work environment.