qatar rules for foreign workers 2022

Qatar proposes a new law to change controversial legislation on foreign workers amid mounting criticism ahead of the 2022 football World Cup. Social dialogue has taken various forms, and new legislation has led to the establishment of joint worker-management committees at the enterprise level. If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you. Hend al-Muftah, member of the Shura Council, said while it was important to protect the workers rights, it was also important to protect the rights of the businesses. 202-266-1940 | fax. In line with Qatar Vision 2030, these new laws mark a major milestone in this journey and will benefit workers, employers, and the nation alike.His Excellency Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, August 2020. The Qatari government appointed the law firm DLA Piper to independently probe claims of exploitation of migrants working in World Cup-related construction projects. Currently in Qatar, there are more than 160,000 migrant domestic workers, of which 60% are women, who are covered by Law No. All rights reserved 2023, His Highness the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, September 2019, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. 15 of 2017, which regulates the relationship between domestic workers and their employers. This story is also available in the following languages: How workers are being protected from heat stress. The State of Qatar is committed to creating a modern and dynamic labour market. Support our investigative journalism today. Raising awareness has been key to promoting decent work in the domestic work sector (seeGuide to Employing Migrant Domestic Workers in Qatar and Know Your Rights). Qatar has moved to change controversial laws on foreign workers amid mounting criticism ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Replacing thenotoriously ineffective labour courts, the Committees were one of the most encouraging steps in Qatars labour reforms; promising to resolve their complaints and give workers a legally enforceable judgement within six weeks. Additionally, workers must have access to heat stress training, access to personal protection equipment, medical examinations and will follow the WetBulb Globe Temperature index. WebAn investigation has found serious labour abuses occurred at the World Cup and were not properly addressed, even though Amnesty International issued a 70-page report in April In April 2021, the Shura Council approved a new law mandating health insurance for all expatriates and visitors. Having time off is not only important for rest, but also for lodging any potential grievances with the relevant authorities. Available online. The Ministerial Decision No. A few weeks later, Shayne was accused of holding two jobs even though she was still coming in to work daily. Labour policy is a complex issue and one that cannot be solved overnight. Kafala system required foreign workers to obtain their employers The Gulf state has come under pressure to drop rules tying migrant workers to a single employer amid an influx ahead of the football tournament. Whether these developments ultimately have real, direct impact on migrant workers' welfare is far from certain. 2012. Labour Disputes Settlement Committee established, The ILO inaugurates its first project office in Qatar, HH the Amir issues Law No. The International Labour Organization (ILO) found that in 2020, 50 people suffered work-related deaths, 500 were seriously injured, and 37,600 sustained mild to moderate injuries. The best of our journalism is gathered on our dedicatedQatar: Beyond the Footballhome page for those who want to go deeper into the issues beyond the pitch. 202-266-1900. Available online. A comprehensive training course on dispute resolution is being developed. 2013. Find out more in our privacy policy. Dickinson, Elizabeth. While Qatar has finally begun a high-profile reform process promising to tackle widespread labour exploitation and align its laws and practices with international labour standards, workers still continue to be vulnerable to serious abuses including forced labour and restrictions on freedom of movement. Following the Qatar National Vision 2030s aim of attracting workers, protecting their rights and ensuring their safety, the new decision will encourage economic growth and open doors for investors, employers and employees alike. Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights. Alongside its core work providing a platform for Human Rights advocates, the Resource Centre runs several focused programme areas and regularly releases briefings and reports on areas of particular interest. Reality Check: Migrant Workers Rights with Four Years to Qatar 2022 World Cup, Committees for the Settlement of Labour Disputes (Committees, one of the most encouraging steps in Qatars, give workers a legally enforceable judgement, focused on 2000 workers from three companies , falling short of providing workers adequate, a lack of effective enforcement means that, option but to leave Qatar and return home, If Qatar is to change course and meet its commitments on improving access to justice, it needs to take action swiftly to increase the capacity of the Committees to manage cases, enhance their ability to hold perpetrators to account. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of workers complaints to Qatars Ministry of Labour increased from 11,000 to 25,000. Many workers have had to return home penniless as a result. If civil-society groups, international organizations, the private sector, and the Qatari government work together, Qatar could serve as a testing ground for viable labor migration policy and institutional reforms. Supported by the ILO, and encouraged by its partners, the Government of Qatar should: Responsibilities and solutions do not only lie with the Qatari government. Updated in February 2023, This story is also available in the following languages: Franais Espaol . Migrant workers were indispensable to making the World Cup 2022 possible, but it has come at great cost for many migrant workers and their families who not only made personal sacrifices, but also faced widespread wage theft, injuries, and thousands of unexplained deaths, said Rothna Begum, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch. Announced procedures allowing workers to change employment freely, without requiring a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their previous employer. Six months after Qatar abolished the need for an NOC to switch jobs, migrant workers tell Al Jazeera of Driven in part by the subsequent construction boom, the countrys population jumped from 1.6 million people in December 2010 to 2.7 million in October 2018. Her ID was cancelled and she had a false abscondment case filed against her. News release, May 16, 2013. All I did was try and seek a better job. 1096664, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in USA and registered charitable association (e.V.) Read about our approach to external linking. South Africas High Court has ruled that the cancellation of special permits for Zimbabwean nationals that gives them the right to live and work in the country is unlawful and unconstitutional. Yet with rapidly increasing numbers of workers travelling to take advantage of economic opportunities, more also fell victim to Qatars exploitative labour system. This will drive greater competition in Qatars labour market by allowing employees to change employers and allowing employers to attract the best talent in the local market. Perhaps most strikingly, there has been no meaningful reform of the prohibition of workers changing jobs without the consent of their employer, through the requirement to obtain a No objection certificate. On 26 May, a ministerial decree (17) of 2021, extended the legal working hours in outdoor spaces from 1 June to 15 September, with work not being allowed between 10:00 to 15:30. The Sporting News is on hand to explain the rules regarding changes at this year's Qatar tournament. Qatars labour ministry has maintained it welcomes workers lodging their complaints, but most of the workers Al Jazeera spoke to said they refrained for fear of repercussions including abscondment cases from their employers, having witnessed several examples of the power imbalance first-hand. 2013. A week later, she received a message that her sponsor had filed a runaway report against her. Der Spiegel. 2013. Labour Rights Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Migrant Workers Who Built Qatars World Cup Infrastructure Deserve, Need Compensation Published in: Nepali Times His Excellency Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs announced that a Minimum Wage Committee will be formed and tasked with the continued review and examination of the minimum wage of employees and domestic workers. The minimum wage was decided following extensive consultations with a specialised national committee composed of relevant authorities in Qatar. Qatars law does not allow for foreign workers to form or join trade unions. The Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014. Airplane*. Qatari law states that workers should not pay recruitment fees, but a recent survey conducted by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute of Qatar found that 54% of low-wage workers paid to come to Qatar. Here we explore the key questions around an issue that has tarnished the World Cup for many fans. Are five substitutes allowed at World Cup 2022? A new dedicated department for Occupational Health and Safety within Qatars Ministry of Labour is being created and is expected to focus on prevention of accidents at work and compliance of laws to protect workers. The high profile of the tournament has drawn attention to Qatars dubious human rights record, including its hostility towards LGBT people, and the dangerous and exploitative conditions faced by the vast numbers of migrant workers who have built the infrastructure. This years tournament has been dominated by off-field matters. Some of my friends are now sitting in their country after the sponsor cancelled their visa and sent them back home because they wanted to switch jobs. He borrowed money to pay a recruitment fee then earned the equivalent of a dollar a day. With the support of the ILO, it is assessing the existing system for licensing and monitoring private recruitment agencies. The Government of the State of Qatar has implemented major labour reforms in the past few years, including: In March 2021, Qatar introduced a minimum wage of QAR 1,000, which applies to all employees across all sectors in Qatar, including domestic workers. The Supreme Committee says it continues to work to address the challenges identified it such audits. Sharing his preliminary findings, Crepeau recommended that Qatar abolish its "kafala," or sponsorship system, which requires unskilled laborers to have an in-country sponsor and forbids them from changing jobs or obtaining an exit visa without the sponsor's permission. The country has introduced labor law reforms in the past five years, though critics charge that these do not go far enough to protect workers and that enforcement is patchy. Qatar is reported to be spending more than $200bn (121bn) on a series of infrastructure projects, and says the World Cup is a catalyst for a nationwide building project. This includes topics such as the organisation of work, ways to increase production and development, workers training programmes, risk prevention tools, and ways to improve the level of adherence to occupational safety and health rules. When negotiating the reforms with the Government of Qatar, worker representation and social dialogue were among the ILOs top priorities. Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) Mileage Reimbursement Rates. We saw huge pushback against the reforms that have now led to the Shura Council to make recommendations that may well undo these reforms.. Guardian reporting goes far beyond what happens on the pitch. 31 October 2022 The State of Qatar has pursued a consistent policy to protect and promote human rights, on the basis of our Arab and Islamic principles that uphold human values, and are keen to honour our commitment in this respect at the national and international levels to defend individual and collective rights and respect for human rights and dignity. A 24/7 hotline has been set-up for workers and 11 electronic kiosks have been set-up in locations across Qatar (operating in 11 languages) for workers to file anonymous complaints. In line with international standards, data, including on the cost of living, should be collected for a review of the minimum wage. The ILO report One is too many also highlighted that more efforts are needed to investigate injuries and fatalities that may be work-related but are not currently categorized as such. In 2014 the UN Special Rapporteur on Migrant Rights also described how exploitation is frequent and migrants often work without pay and live in substandard conditions, and called for the countrys sponsorship system to be abolished. Im in favour of treating workers well and giving them freedom and flexibility to move but what concerned me was having this done without regulations to monitor these processes and protect young entrepreneurs. Employees will no longer require No-Objection Certificates to terminate their contracts. But Amnesty International said the proposed changes "fall far short of the fundamental changes needed to address systemic abuses against migrant workers". 95 of 2019 further allows domestic workers to leave the country without first obtaining permission from their employers. Qatar has moved to change controversial laws on foreign workers amid mounting criticism ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Other stakeholders including other governments, national football associations and sponsors can also add their voices and play an influential role at this critical juncture. The decision also stipulates that the employer has the right to submit a prior reasoned request to the Ministry of Interior including the names of those whom they deem necessary to obtain prior approval before leaving the country due to the nature of their work, provided that it does not exceed 5% of employees. South Africas High Court has ruled that the cancellation of special permits for Zimbabwean nationals that gives them the right to live and work in the country is unlawful $1.74. Qatar announced Monday it is introducing long-expected reforms to policies governing its vast Following the changes to the kafala system in 2020, workers can now change jobs at any time, after a notice period of up to two months. Too many cases for too few judges means that workers are waiting months sometimes up toeight for their complaints to be processed. Despite nascent reforms, such labour abuse continues on a significant scale today. I dont think Ive committed a crime to be facing these problems.. It has also ratified two important international human rights treaties, albeit indicating that it will not abide by some of their key obligations, for example on the right for workers to form trade unions. A ministerial decree (17) of 2021 has extended the legal working hours in outdoor working spaces from 1 June to 15 September, with work not being allowed between 10:00 to 15:30. For example, new entrepreneurs should be compensated for their hiring and training expenses if the worker decides to leave and contract duration should be taken into consideration. The gender gap in employment: What's holding women back? In 2021, the Ministry of Labour adopted a revised standard employment contract for domestic workers to align their rights with those of other private sector employees in terms of overtime payment, termination of employment and sick leave entitlements. The Council has made its recommendations so Im speaking in a personal capacity when I say that the recent adjustments [in August last year] were almost all for the sake of labour rights, without providing any protection for the employers, al-Muftah told Al Jazeera. In order to protect the rights of both employers and domestic workers, domestic workers must notify employers at least 72 hours prior to their departure. January 1, 2023. I thought the new laws were there to help us. Available online. The decree further states that workers must have access to heat stress training, access to personal protection equipment, and annual health checks. WebThe background to the ILO-Qatar technical cooperation programme. Find out more about our impact, who we are and how we are funded. A fund established by the Governmenthas disbursed US$350 million to workers since 2019, demonstrating the scale of wage abuses. In response to increasing international pressure from civil society, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), the World Cup's governing body, promised that issues raised by The Guardian's reporting and civil-society groups will be investigated and action taken. The German cabinet approved plans to attract skilled foreign workers and combat labor shortages last year, and unveiled draft legislation at the end of March this If use of privately owned automobile is authorized or if no Government-furnished Today, the time workers wait between the submission of a complaint and receipt of due wages and benefits can still take several months. In 2021 the Guardian highlighted the deaths of workers such as Gangaram Mandal, a laborer from Nepal who came to Qatar in 2018 in order to support his wife and seven daughters. Since 2017, the government has passed several pieces of new legislation aimed at benefiting migrant workers, including setting a temporary minimum wage, introducing a law for domestic workers, setting up new dispute committees and establishing a workers support and insurance fund. Non-discriminatory minimum wage came into effect. Migrant workers building Khalifa International Stadium in Doha for the 2022 World Cup have suffered systematic abuses, in some cases forced labour, Amnesty International reveals in a major new report published today (31 March). The abuse and exploitation of low paid migrant workers, sometimes amounting to forced labour and human trafficking, have been extensively documented since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of workers complaints to Qatars Ministry of Labour Schwab, Klaus. The new law allows almost all migrant workers in Qatar including domestic workers to leave the country without first obtaining permission from their employers, except for military personnel. The government considers the welfare of guest workers as one of the key priorities and is committed to reforming Qatars labour laws and practices to design a system that is fit for purpose for both employees and employers. 17 of 2018 to establish the Workers Support and Insurance Fund. Since 2010, when the country was awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup, Qatars migrant worker population has rapidly expanded. Effective/Applicability Date. Under Qatars Kafala (sponsorship) system, migrant workers previously needed to obtain their employers permission in the form of a no-objection certificate (NOC) before changing jobs, a law that rights activists said tied their presence in the country to their employers and led to abuse and exploitation. In October 2013, for example, The Guardian reported that 44 Nepali workers had died in Qatar in just a two-month period, while Amnesty International reports in 2013 and 2016 documented large scale labour abuse in the construction sector, including forced labour, such as at Dohas Khalifa Stadium. Ahead of the #Qatar2022 FIFA World Cup, too many workers face wage abuse, debt and hunger. Solidarity Center. The preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022 has triggered a massive building programme by the State of Qatar, covering the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure such as hotels, roads and public transport systems. Concerns about LGBT rights, forced labor and unsafe conditions also marred the previous World Cup, in Russia in 2018. BBC News, Berlin. The law advances the rights of domestic workers in accordance with the provisions of the International Labour Organisations Convention No. In 2015, the State of Qatar issued Law No. Changing companies behaviour is not something that happens overnight but we are taking necessary measures to send a clear message that illegal activity will not be tolerated.. In April 2019, His Excellency Mr Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, the Minister of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs signed a decree regulating the conditions and procedures for the election of worker representatives in Joint Committees. Building and Wood Workers' International. The adoption and implementation of new Occupational Safety and Health and inspection policies, as well as the mitigation of heat stress have also been among the ILOs priorities in Qatar. 2013. This decree will allow workers in companies with 30 or more employees to elect their own representatives. Migrant workers make up 95% of #Qatars labor force, without them the country would come to a halt. QF Mandatory Standards of Migrant Workers' Welfare for Contractors and Sub-Contractors. Fifa and the Qatari organizers have sought to distance World Cup-related construction from more general projects, though it is likely that many of these would not have been commissioned without the tournament-inspired boom. Various trips to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) offices and court ensued, but she managed to register successfully with her new sponsor. With less than four years until the World Cup kicks off, and more than a year since the ILO agreement was signed, it is essential that the Qatari authorities accelerate their efforts to truly transform the protections available to their migrant worker population. 2013. The Dark Side of Migration: Spotlight on Qatar's Construction Sector Ahead of the World Cup. Under the legislation, health insurance is a necessary condition for the granting or renewal of residence permits and employment of expatriates. We are fully behind the government and having rules and regulations but it shouldnt come at the expense of businesses suffering. Employees can be placed on probation for a period agreed upon with their employer, as long as the period of probation is no more than six months from the date their work commenced. Most workers dont have the knowledge or support system to stand up to powerful employers and challenge these false charges, added Saraswathi. and get the Workers Support and Insurance Fund up and running as soon as possible so that workers can finally get what they are owed. 1275 K St. NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005 | ph. Migrant workers, including domestic workers, also no longer require an employer-approved exit permit to leave the country. Available online. Teams such as Denmark and the Netherlands have been far more vocal in their criticism of working conditions and human rights than Fifa, which has banned players from wearing OneLove rainbow armbands. This would include, for example, the cooling systems or accommodation complexes highlighted in the Mercury MENA case, key transport projects and the hospitality sector. 2013. I also dont believe in exploitation and if thats happening at a work place, these workers should raise their voices and complain.. She has not received a salary increment during this period and her pay was less than what was in the contract she signed in the Philippines before travelling to Qatar. Donna worked for a cleaning company for almost three years before deciding on a change of careers. The oil-rich country is one of the wealthiest in the world, recording the second largest GDP per capita in 2012. For the ILO, this will be the most enduring legacy of the World Cup. These reforms, if proven successful, could have a demonstration effect, triggering the adoption of similar reforms elsewhere in the Arab Gulf. The sixth amendment to the Employment Act continued to regulate the presence of foreign workers. The government also has channels available for individuals to report grievances against their employer. Strengthen protection of domestic workers: bring the domestic workers law in line with international standards, for example in relation to working hours; reinforce enforcement mechanisms and provide protection to victims; hold abusive employers to account, including through criminal prosecution. Available online. Average high temperatures in Qatar exceed 100F (37.7C) for five months of the year. Employees will have the ability to pursue new opportunities in Qatar and strengthen the economy though local and international business. Qatar 2022 World Cup risks 4000 lives, warns International Trade Union Confederation. The act limited the number of foreign workers that can enter Maldives from any single country to 100,000 and included provisions for prioritizing Maldivians for employment. Advancing social justice, promoting decent work, ILO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, a report presenting the most comprehensive data available on the issue, more information about ILO's work in Qatar. The concerned department at the Ministry of Interior can grant residency permits for the spouse, undergraduate sons of up to 25 years old and unmarried daughters of the expatriate worker. 95 of 2019 was issued, indicating that with immediate effect, exit permits have been removed for all expatriates who are not subject to Qatars Labour Law. Strengthen enforcement of labour laws: ensure regular and rigourous labour inspections, including by increasing the number of inspectors speaking languages other than Arabic and English; hold accountable any employer or sponsor failing to respect Qatari laws and regulations; Improve access to justice and workers voice: ensure Labour Dispute Resolution Committees are resourced to be able to review cases within the legal timeframe; allow the formation of trade unions and withdraw the related reservations to international treaties. Recent pronouncements from key actors within Qatar, especially those with government links, suggest room for cautious optimism, nonetheless. Their isolation in the home away from the public gaze and their direct dependence on their employer means they are particularly exposed to being exploited and abused. BBC News, Berlin. Which issues emerged as the world's top migration issues of 2013? There is, of course, substance to the criticism. Qatar Reveals New Foreign Worker Reforms Ahead of 2022 FIFA World Cup New steps include a requirement that firms set up bank accounts for workers and pay The International Labour Organisation (ILO) inaugurated its first project office in Qatar on 30 April 2018. In August 2017, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Law No. Qatars rapid infrastructure development and fast-growing economy has attracted hundreds of thousands of expatriates seeking to better their lives and the lives of their families. WebMinimum wage In March 2021, Qatar introduced a minimum wage of QAR 1,000, which applies to all employees across all sectors in Qatar, including domestic workers. The 2013 World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report also ranks Qatar as the most competitive economy in the Middle East and 13th worldwide. However, despite these welcome reforms, the reality for many migrant workers in Qatar remains harsh and will continue to be so until the reform process is completed, far better implemented in practice and applied to all workers. Far too many migrants pay onerous sums to unscrupulous recruitment agencies to be deployed to Qatar, and endure appalling working and living conditions while there, as documented by Amnesty International in a November report on conditions in Qatar's construction sector. 'Open Prison': Worker Deaths Cast Shadow Over Qatar World Cup. While some workers have withdrawn their transfer applications due to fear of being sent back home, others told Al Jazeera they had to go into hiding pending the outcome, scared of being arrested and deported. Human Rights Watch. MPI policy analysts assess the top trends, developments, and challenges of the year. Today, migrants account for an average of 70 percent of the employed population in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and over 95 percent of private sector workers in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Fundamentally reform the kafala system: allow all migrant workers to change jobs without their employers permission, decriminalise the charge of absconding, extend the abolition of the exit permit to all workers, and enforce the ban on passport confiscation. Human Rights Watch deputy Middle East director, Joe Stork said, "The message this law sends is that Qatar doesn't really care much about migrant workers. May 6th 2021 I N MOST COUNTRIES a workers best bargaining tool is the ability to say: Take this job and shove it. Knowing staff can go elsewhere gives The Minimum Wage Committee was also established and tasked with periodically reviewing the impact and application of the minimum wage of workers and domestic workers. Opinion pieces, interviews and blogs from across the business and human rights movement. Its sponsorship system remains a serious stain on Qatar's international reputation. On top of her dues, Shayne was lawfully entitled to a two-month notice period and then a three-month grace period to remain in the country to look for a new employer. Six months after Qatar abolished the need for an NOC to switch jobs, migrant workers tell Al Jazeera of their continued struggle. A report by the Building and Wood Workers International union group found that 21 construction workers died building stadiums in Russia, mostly as a result of falls from heights or being struck by falling equipment. Similarly, all work must stop if the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) rises beyond 32.1, taking into consideration more than ambient temperature. The appearance of such links does not constitute endorsement of the websites they lead to or the information contained therein, over which we exercise no editorial control. WebTackle worker debt and ensure payment of decent wages: strengthen measures to protect workers from abusive recruitment practices; establish, regularly review and enforce an
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