Qatar Chamber Discusses Private Sector's Contribution to Labor Housing Projects

Doha, January 02 (QNA) - Qatar Chamber discussed Wednesday in a seminar the ways to encourage the private sector to contribute to labor housing projects. The Ministry of Administrative Development Labor and Social Affairs, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) participated in the seminar. Second Vice-Chairman of the chamber Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba said that the chamber aims to discuss the status of working housing, and decisions related to moving them from housing that are below the required standards, and how that can be done in partnership between the public and private sector. The seminar reviewed the benefits offered by the government to the private sector in this regard, the most prominent of which were providing government land in different areas of the country with various areas and at a nominal rent, the provision of long-term investment contracts for 25 years, As well as an integrated infrastructure in partnership with the private sector, as well as the adoption of the minimum requirements and criteria for universal housing for workers at a minimum of 6 square meters per worker, which increases the absorptive capacity of workers' housing. The participants in the seminar pointed the presence of 7 permanent sites for housing workers in the regions of Al Shamal, Al Khor, Umm Salal, Al Wukair, Al Rakab, and Umm Ghuwailina can accommodate more than 240000 workers. That is in addition to the sites of temporary housing workers are being implemented in four regions, namely Al Shamal, Al Khor, Umm Salal and Sailiya. Combined they can accommodate more than 75000 workers. Director of the department of inspection at the Ministry of Administrative Development Labor and Social Affairs Fahd Salem Ghanem said that Qatar's labor law and the ministerial decision require all facilities to ensure the safety and health of workers. He highlighted ministerial decision no. 18 of 2014 on the requirements and standards of labor housing. He added that the ministry worked with many governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to ensure that the workers are moved to safe areas that have the capacity to house them. (QNA)