Reforms have improved working and living conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers, ILO says in a new report.
Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) In continuation of its quest for a hitch-free FIFA World Cup devoid of controversies, the Qatari government has intensified efforts at meeting every set rule in the books as it affects international labour laws and practices.
Having come under persistent and sometimes acrimonious criticisms from western media and governments, officials of the Committee for Delivery and Legacy, as the committee in charge of the organisation of the World Cup is called, have collaborated with the International Labour Organisation and various human rights groups in bringing about positive changes in the country’s labour ecosystem.
The report published on Tuesday details progress made since technical cooperation between the United Nations’ labour agency and the Qatari government started in April 2018.
The annual and four-year progress reports cover the substantial efforts that have been made in the areas of labour migration governance, the enforcement of the labour law and access to justice, and strengthening the voice of workers and social dialogue.
The ILO and the Government of Qatar reviewed the progress made on labour reforms under their joint programme and agreed to continue working together to build a modern and dynamic labour market in the country.
A recent report by the ILO-Qatar Technical Cooperation Programme states that ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, and Minister of Labour of the State of Qatar, Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, met during the 346th Session of the ILO’s Governing Body in Geneva.
Director-General Houngbo and Minister Al Marri, accompanied by delegations from both sides, review progress made during the four years of the ongoing Technical Cooperation Programme between the ILO and the State of Qatar.
Both parties were satisfied with the progress recorded so far and agreed to continue working together on areas of labour reform, including occupational safety and health, intensifying efforts to combat forced labour and human trafficking, and supporting companies to revise their policies and procedures in line with the new legislation.
Spotlight on Qatar
Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and its human rights record has been under the spotlight since it was awarded the hosting of football’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Previously, the Gulf state-required workers to get their employer’s permission to change jobs. In August 2020, Qatar announced changes to the labour law, including scrapping the need for a no-objection certificate (NOC) to change employment.
The announcement was the latest in a series of labour reforms which it said were part of a process launched before it was awarded the World Cup.
evin incir
Evin Incir is a Swedish politician of Kurdish descent for the Social Democrat Party stated that It is positive that the State of Qatar is working together with ILO to improve areas of law and policy to better safeguard migrant workers’ rights and labour relations.
“However, I think this report is too optimistic on the improvements made. The issue of violations of migrant workers’ human rights is widespread and It is an imperative political struggle that we must never give up on. For an example, the situation for domestic workers remains alarming. The international community must not stop to call out States for failing to protect this group.” said the MEP.
