Ministry plan to release workers after contract runs out
In a new initiative that could have a major impact on the job sector in Qatar, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is reportedly studying a proposal to transfer workers en masse to new employers, after completion of the projects for which they have been recruited.
If implemented, the move will allow groups of expats to continue working in the country even after completion of their designated projects, by changing jobs and sponsors.
Quoting a source at the ministry, local Arabic daily Al Rayah reported yesterday the proposal would become a reality soon.
Thousands of skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers are being recruited by companies in Qatar every day to work on massive development and infrastructure projects.
Most of them are brought on contracts limited to specific projects and periods and sent home after completion of their projects, especially if the employers don’t have new jobs to offer.
The proposal aims to redistribute and redeploy groups of workers to capitalise on their expertise and save time, money and resources involved in recruitment of new workers for new projects.
Quoting the source, the daily said this is a very significant project “which will safeguard the rights of workers, meet their needs and help the country benefit from their experience in working in development projects”.
The ministry is seeking to implement the proposal soon to overcome difficulties and complications companies encounter while recruiting workers from abroad, especially those involved in mega government projects, some of which have employed several thousands of workers, said the daily.
For instance, if there are 500 workers deployed in a government project, they can be transferred to another project immediately after completion of the first project.
However, this has to be done with approval from the company that brought them to Qatar, after making sure the workers desire to be shifted to the new project and their original employer does not need them for other projects.
All parties concerned will benefit from the strategy. The original employer will save expenses on sending workers home after completion of their projects, while new employers don’t have to go through the procedures for recruiting new workers.
They will also benefit from the experience and expertise of these workers.
This will also help reduce pressure on government services and facilities from the rapidly growing expatriate workforce in the country.
The initiative will also reduce the risk of recruiting new people who are not familiar with the customs and traditions of the country.
The new policy will require companies to inform the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs about the deadline for completion of their projects and that they have no objection in transferring their workers to other companies. The original employer will also be required to pay all the pending dues of their workers before releasing them to other employers, said the daily.
As the first steps towards implementing this proposal, the ministry plans to raise awareness among workers through various means.
instead of giving options to laborers to change the work once completion of contract, give them option to chage the sponsor ship while under vailid contract, this can be applied only to poor laboures who are struggling hard day & night.... & its a sin for the people who do frauds with laborers.
We are hearing this for so long . I guess more than 10 years if I'm not deluded . Yet they didn't taken a single positive step towards it .
You might expect a news like this if you are not yet dead
Date : 01-01-2500
Qatar may end Kafala system
Expats in Qatar have welcomed government plans to scrap the country’s controversial “sponsorship” system for overseas workers which they practiced for centuries .
(As per the reports from Al Abraham Bin Lincoln)
I am just worried why cant they give contracts to big companies who take care of their employees very well rather than splitting the contracts into sub and sub contractors. From my experience if the government allots 25 Qr rate for one hour for one employee.... the main contractor will take 5 riyals (they will not take care of anything )and will give that contract to a sub contractors, and this subcontract company will take 5 riyals again and they will give this contract to another sub company and this chain will go on like this, at last the poor laborers will get just 10% of the contract amount which will be around 5 to 6 Qr.
So from my opinion please stop this fraud chains and try to give contract amount directly to the laborers, they will be happy and the lifestyle will be good. Please try to understand that these are the real things that are going around in Qatar.
I am just worried, what the government can do about this... Do anybody know the real life style of the employers (labor supply company owners ) in Qatar??. They are just having a lavish life with the money that they get from this governments and from the contractors which should be given to the poor laborers. Its a big big chain. You cannot imagine their lifestyle back home. I know the real world. These small labor companies bribe managers to get the contracts and they utilizes all these money. I don't know how this government can stop these frauds and take care of laborers and make sure that employees are getting their salaries and benefits from these companies. Do you know one thing, these companies will credit salaries to the employees account and they itself will take the salary back and give a small amount to the laborers just like "throwing dust in the eyes of the government". And also they will cut the electricity and water in the labor camp from morning till evening so that nobody will stay in the camp even if they are sick or not feeling well. Almost all the labor employees are frightened to split out all these frauds, because of their employers and the fear that they might lose their job. This is the real truth. Its the experience I heard from a labor camp. Please try to find a solution to stop these frauds and help the laborers to get their benefits first
You are exactly right Trinadh.
The article clearly says that the transfer of the workers can only be done with the permission of their current sponsor. So basically they no longer need an NOC, but ....? It really means no change to the present arrangements.
Before replying like Good ...Great.....read the post carefully........When company does not have work obviously they are offering NOC already...So implementation is what they currently accepting is been explained briefly nothing new..!
"However, this has to be done with approval from the company that brought them to Qatar, after making sure the workers desire to be shifted to the new project and their original employer does not need them for other projects" which means.. it doesn't make any sense......same old story.!!!!!!!!
no use for the people working in other sectors .............. simple .................. company will not give NOC and the employee will be left with only one choice is to go back home.
A very good proposal which i believe will be beneficial involved...Good thinking....Good product
that will be great...