Qatar 2022: No positive legacy without implementation of reforms says ITUC, calls for ratification of conventions on freedom of association & collective bargaining
"Qatar must move forward on labour rights,"
If the labour law reforms made by the government at the ILO in November 2017, including those on the abolition of the kafala system of forced labour, are not fully implemented and built on there will be no positive and lasting legacy of the FIFA World Cup.
Implementation, particularly for construction, security and domestic migrant workers has fallen behind expectations and many rogue employers have been able to evade their legal responsibilities on wages, job transfers, working conditions, residency, and other provisions.
Inflation has overtaken the gains made through the introduction of a minimum wage, and the labour inspectorate and disputes settlement committees have not met the needs of all the country’s migrant workforce of around two million people...
Qatar needs to ensure that the law reforms benefit every migrant worker, to accelerate reforms and take the most important step – ratification and implementation of the ILO Conventions on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining. This is the only way that a lasting legacy that benefits all workers, including migrant workers, can be ensured. The new Prime Minister, former Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who was appointed this week, must make this a top priority for his government.ITUC President, Akiko Gono.
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The ITUC also wants to see progress repeated and exceeded in other Gulf States, including in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.