Amnesty slams exit permit system
London-based Amnesty International has described the exit permit system prevalent in Qatar as a basic violation of human rights and called for reforms.
The system amounts to preventing the right of movement of individuals. “Everyone has the right to leave a country,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation said no private actor should be given the right to decide whether a migrant worker can leave a country or not.
This authority should be in the hands of the state and should be properly regulated, the Amnesty said.
“Of course, the state should be able to stop someone leaving Qatar if he has committed a criminal offence,” said Audrey Gaughran, Director Global Issues, Amnesty, calling for reforming the exit permit system.
Gaughran was taking part in a panel discussion here yesterday in an event organised by Al Sharq newspaper on the occasion of the International Labour Day.
Other panelists included Brigadier Nasser Al Sayed, Director of Search and Follow-Up Department of the Ministry of Interior, Saad Ahmed Al Mohannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail, and Colonel Abdullah Saqr Al Mohannadi, head of the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Interior.
Gaughran lauded the Qatari government at the outset for engaging with civil society organizations on labour issues, including the Amnesty.
Criticising the sponsorship law, she said no private employer should have the control over someone changing the job. “The no-objection should not be in the hands of the employer.”
Read more at The Peninsula | Photo by Mohammed Noorudeen
Some companies are beginning to feel the impact of the pending change and as well foreseeing their downfall. As a matter of fact, some Alibaba companies are increasing salaries and promising more benefits to hold back workers if things turn around.
Qatar & Qataries grow up , what you were doing was wrong
Let's wait and see what the changes comes up which we all are expecting to announce soon but I am pretty much sure it won't be like Amnesty or ILO wants. Lets hope for better at least.
very true and well said on the above article...I agree !
after specific time or contracts ,a worker should have right to choice whether he will continue his job or choicing other job ,its human life .qatar just follow up about their side not human life,they even don't care about migrant worker especially asian.the exit permit system should be removed ,because through this way their killing comfort of human life
I think two years is enough "applicable" for the said exit permit. The system should be re-evaluate somehow to cling the favor to the workers.
We need some changes here....
Does Qatar Govt authorities really interested in such things ??? They shud Rise and slam such companies irrespective of everything,,,,,i agreee with all above comments too,,,,,my company is controlled by Egyptian/Palestian $tupid,,,,,,if i get chance, i wil literally do something to fix them,,,,,,like said above, they r perfect example of stupid behaviour,,,,,they dont have any sort of manner,,,,,talk very badly with employees,,,,,hope govt. act wisely and fix such live-in mentally harassing criminals,,,,,$tupids in short :(((
The law is always favorable to the employer / sponsor, not for the employee. I agreed to get my salary on every 10th with no other basic benefits. All we get the QID card, nothing else. But, before I travel they promised to get health card, but, since the day I landed they never helped for anything. The salary was not paid as agreed, it was always delayed, comes after 20 to 30 calls per day for a week. One day I informed the client and my consulting company that if the salary is not paid I will leave, and few other colleagues raised the same concern. They were not reachable for both the client and mine. As we stood strong on our decision they are paying the salary on date to those who raised concerns. For the remaining its the same. There is no ID card, mail id, or etc.... In IT field these are very much basic things with less cost. As said above, the consulting companies are least bothered about the employee's concerns as they cannot do anything in Qatar. And they don't listen what the employee says. They never check whether the employee is alive or dead unless until they are indeed from that person. At most of the working location, the Asian executives level personals are least concerned, I don't have to say anything for the labors. I have seen / heard humiliating words about Asian workers. why? we are human like you even though we are from different religious.
Qatar regulations are still way behind other GCC countries. BAN for 2 years if you leave Qatar(even if visa is cancelled), Exit permit system, high basic salary requirement for family visa are restrictive practices i am seeing here. It is humiliating and discriminating towards asian nationals. Need to be addressed more rationally.
Sponsoship should be for a limited time or related to a contract for a max 3 years then the employee have the right to renew or not.Noc system is not fair
I have worked almost 8 months in Doha and I saw the workers in a such a dull condition. Even in Ramdaan one of my know person was not getting enough wage for his food and meals.
I really disappointed by the Qatar Govt. rules and regulation. They should change the sponsorship law asap.
I was working in a very small firm ( that was my mistake i did not verify the company) and they even dont have the manners to talk and behave with employees.