APD | Migrant workers to benefit from Qatari reforms

By APD writer Melo M. Acuña

MANILA, Oct. 17 (APD) – Qatar announced wide-ranging reforms to its labor market with the goal of ending the kafala system and marking a milestone forward in safeguarding the rights of migrant workers.

According to a statement from the International Labour Organization datelined Doha, Qatar this afternoon, the Council of Ministers of the State of Qatar unanimously endorsed yesterday's new legislation allowing workers to change employers freely. Workers in Qatar had previously required a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their employer to change jobs. A ministerial decree by the Minister of Interior was also signed, removing exit permit requirements for all workers, except military personnel. These steps mark the end of kafala in the country.

The Council of Ministers also endorsed a new law to establish a non-discriminatory minimum wage, the first in the Middle East.

“The ILO welcomes these reforms and recognizes the commitment of the State of Qatar to transforming its labor market. These steps will greatly support the rights of migrant workers while contributing to a more efficient and productive economy. I am pleased that the ongoing ILO technical cooperation program in Qatar is tangibly contributing to the government’s effort to advance social justice and promote decent work in the country,” said Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General.

The elimination of the NOC requirement will allow workers to freely change employers following an initial probationary period. Should they wish to change employers during this period, the new employer would need to reimburse recruitment costs to the original employer.

It was learned the decision on exit permits would mean that domestic workers, workers in government and public institutions, workers employed at sea and in agriculture and casual workers are free to leave the country either temporarily or permanently without having to obtain permission from their respective employers. This covers all workers not covered by Law No, 13 of 2018 which removed the requirement to obtain exit permits for most workers covered by the Labour Law.

According to the ILO statement, the establishment of a non-discriminatory minimum wage that applies to all nationalities and all sectors will guarantee a minimum level of protection for all workers. The minimum-wage level will be set later this year, based on a study completed by the ILO and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (ADLSA).

“Qatar is changing. The new tranche of laws will bring an end to Kafala and put in place a modern industrial relations system. We recognize that a new evidence-based minimum wage rate will ensure dignity for migrant workers. We urge the government to announce this as quickly as possible. The partnership between the Qatar Government and the ILO, supported by the ITUC, is working to change lives,” said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

Roberto Suarez-Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers, said they congratulate the Government of Qatar on the major steps they have taken to adapt their labor market standards.

“IOE is proud to have supported the government’s efforts over the past several years. I would like to express our appreciation to those leading this process for making decent work and sustainable economies a centerpiece of development in Qatar,” Suarez-Santos added.

The respective draft laws will now be referred to the Advisory (Shura) Council, and subsequently for the approval and signature of the Emir HH Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The legislation is expected to come into force by January 2020.

The reforms are part of the ILO-ADLSA cooperation agreement signed in 2017, which resulted in the opening of an ILO Project Office in Doha in April 2018.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reported 236,236 Filipinos in Qatar as of December 31, 2018.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)