Minister affirms Qatar's commitment to protecting workers' rights

HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhroo

HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Yousef bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhroo, affirmed the commitment of the State of Qatar to continue its relentless efforts aimed at promoting and protecting workers' rights and providing a safe and healthy work environment. HE Al Othman Fakhroo, in a speech on the occasion of the International Workers' Day, which falls on May,1 of each year, explained that this occasion is a tribute to all workers due to the interest they receive as a partner in the development renaissance Qatar, expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to the workers who have helped and continue to contribute to the achievement of comprehensive development. HE the Minister added that this day is the culmination of labor legislation and its updating to keep pace with the best international standards for protecting workers 'rights, and that the celebration of International Workers' Day this year coincides with the start of the implementation of the new and pioneering legislation that has strengthened the work environment that attracts workers, especially the legislations that facilitate the movement of workers between different employers and the non-discriminatory minimum wage law for workers and domestic workers. He continued by saying that the Ministry is working in this regard to implement modern legislation in accordance with the highest standards through continuous cooperation and coordination with representatives of employers and workers and various local and international partners to search for the best and most successful ways to care for workers, and on this occasion, the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs is pleased to announce the establishment of the unified platform for complaints and disputes, which will be launched in the coming days, as the platform is scheduled to allow employees and workers who are subject to the labor law to submit complaints related to work issues. HE Al Othman Fakhroo pointed out that the Ministry is making every effort to ensure the health and safety of workers, by strengthening precautionary measures and health requirements at work sites and workers housing, and the Ministry count in this regard on workers awareness and their commitment to the procedures and measures that have been taken by the competent authorities to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) and to preserve their safety, the Ministry also count on the participation of workers in the national plan for vaccination against Coronavirus and the intensive efforts made by the state to provide free vaccination for all categories of workers. He affirmed that the state will continue implementing measures to respond to the economic repercussions of the crisis through the financial incentives package and the extension of the national guarantees program, in order to ensure the sustainability of business and jobs and to continue paying workers' wages. He pointed out that the Ministry is working to strengthen the protection of wages and to provide support and assistance to workers to ensure that they obtain their rights and financial entitlements, and that they benefit from decent housing and basic services. In conclusion, HE Al Othman Fakhroo affirmed the states keenness to apply the best international standards to ensure the security and safety of expatriate workers, and its commitment to continue efforts aimed at providing decent work conditions for all workers and promoting their rights and protection in various fields.