The Peninsula Appreciates Extensive Reforms to Labor Law in Qatar

Doha, August 04 (QNA) - The Peninsula English newspaper praised on Wednesday the several extensive reforms to the labor law in the State of Qatar, which have been praised and appreciated by many countries and international labor organizations and have been implemented over the past years, as the country's infrastructure development and fast-growing economy has attracted millions of expatriate workers. The newspaper pointed out that the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs has emphasized that HE Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs' Decision No.21 of 2021 amending some provision of Resolution No.8 of 2005 regarding regulating the conditions and procedures for licensing the recruitment of workers from abroad for the account of others serves the interest of all parties. The newspaper pointed out that in 2015, Qatar issued Law No.21 introducing new provisions regulating the entry, exit and residence requirements for workers allowing freedom to change jobs, introducing measures to prevent passport confiscation and providing more transparency. The newspaper noted the Ministerial Decision issued in January 16, 2020, abolished the exit permit system for all expatriate workers who are not subject to labor law. The new law allows almost all migrant workers in Qatar, including domestic workers, to leave the country without obtaining permission from their employers, it added. The newspaper said that in August 2020, a non-discriminatory minimum wage was announced, which attracted applause from several countries, international organizations and provided a boost to the countrys labor scenario, noting that the new law came into effect in March 2021, fixed QR1,000 as minimum wage, which applies to all employees, including domestic workers. The newspaper underlined that the country also established 20 Qatar Visa Centers in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines and Tunisia making the recruitment process cumber less. Establishing a Workers Support and Insurance Fund, issuing strict summer schedule for outside work, formation of Labor Dispute Resolution Committee etc. have made Qatar a very attractive country for workers, the paper pointed out. In conclusion, The Peninsula stressed that the State of Qatar has been striving to revolutionize the worker atmosphere as Qatar National Vision 2030 aims at attracting workers, protecting their rights, ensuring safety and wellbeing. (QNA)