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Tribune News Network
Doha
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has praised Qatar for announcing new sweeping reforms to its labour market, which will allow workers to change employers freely and enable all categories of employees to leave the country without the need of exit permits.
“The ILO welcomes the reforms and recognises the commitment of the State of Qatar to transforming its labour market. These steps will greatly support the rights of migrant workers, while contributing to a more efficient and productive economy,” said Guy Ryder, director-general of the ILO, in an article published on the organisation’s website.
“I am pleased that the ongoing ILO technical cooperation programme in Qatar is tangibly contributing to the government’s effort to advance social justice and promote decent work in the country,” he added.
On October 16, the Cabinet endorsed a new legislation allowing workers to change employers freely without the need of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their employer, the ILO pointed out. A Ministerial Decree by the Minister of Interior was also signed, removing exit permit requirements for all workers, except military personnel, the organisation said, pointing out that, together, these steps mark the end of ‘kafala’ in the country.
In addition, the Cabinet endorsed a new law to establish a non-discriminatory minimum wage, the first in the Middle East, the ILO said.
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, the ILO explained.
Doha
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has praised Qatar for announcing new sweeping reforms to its labour market, which will allow workers to change employers freely and enable all categories of employees to leave the country without the need of exit permits.
“The ILO welcomes the reforms and recognises the commitment of the State of Qatar to transforming its labour market. These steps will greatly support the rights of migrant workers, while contributing to a more efficient and productive economy,” said Guy Ryder, director-general of the ILO, in an article published on the organisation’s website.
“I am pleased that the ongoing ILO technical cooperation programme in Qatar is tangibly contributing to the government’s effort to advance social justice and promote decent work in the country,” he added.
On October 16, the Cabinet endorsed a new legislation allowing workers to change employers freely without the need of a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their employer, the ILO pointed out. A Ministerial Decree by the Minister of Interior was also signed, removing exit permit requirements for all workers, except military personnel, the organisation said, pointing out that, together, these steps mark the end of ‘kafala’ in the country.
In addition, the Cabinet endorsed a new law to establish a non-discriminatory minimum wage, the first in the Middle East, the ILO said.
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, the ILO explained.
