Warm wishes pour in from all sides for Qatar’s decision to abolish exit permit system
Expatriates and international workers bodies have been unanimous in hailing Qatar’s decision to end the exit permit system for expatriates, which was announced yesterday.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) were unanimous in welcoming the path-breaking move by the hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
HH The Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had yesterday issued Law No 13 of 2018, amending certain provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriates.
The new legislation “marks a significant step in upholding the fundamental rights of migrant workers in Qatar,” the ILO Project Office for Qatar said.
The ITUC also lauded the new legislation issued in Qatar.
“Today marks a huge step for workers’ rights and the end of the kafala system for migrant workers in Qatar,” Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the ITUC, was quoted as saying by Gulf Times.
An estimated 1.5 million workers will now have the freedom to leave #Qatar without their employer’s permission a central part of the kafala system of modern slavery has been eliminated in #Qatar which is still in place in other Gulf countries. #exitpermits #workersrights
— Sharan Burrow (@SharanBurrow) September 4, 2018
“An estimated 1.5m workers will now have the freedom to leave Qatar without their employer’s permission and eliminates a central part of the kafala system, which is still in place in other Gulf countries,” Burrow said.
@ITUC @QNAEnglish Today marks a huge step towards ensuring freedom of movement and ending the kafala system in Qatar for more than 1.5 migrant workers. Next step freedom for Domestic workers.
“Qatar’s next step is to change the law for domestic workers so they’ve the same freedom as all other workers,” she added.
This a major first step! The end of the #kafala system for workers covered by the Labour Code marks a huge moment in the struggle for migrant workers’ rights in #Qatar. Well done, Qatar, and thanks to @ILOQatar and the global union movement for their invaluable work/advocacy. https://t.co/cvOZzWAMMj
— Ruwan Subasinghe (@RuwanSubasinghe) September 4, 2018
Qatar Chamber, the representative body of the private sector companies in the country, welcomed the new decree.
“Qatar’s private sector welcomes this move. It’ll establish Qatar as one of the most worker-friendly countries in the world,” Qatar Chamber Vice-Chairman Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Tawar Al Kuwari was quoted as saying by Qatar Tribune.
Al Kuwari added that the move would enhance Qatar’s image and attract workers from across the world.
India’s Ambassador to Qatar P Kumaran hailed Qatar’s move to end exit permit system.
“We welcome the move as progressive, and look forward to receiving more details as to which categories it’ll apply to. We’re hopeful that it’ll bring substantial benefits to expatriate workers when implemented,” Kumaran told Qatar Tribune.
The Indian Business & Professionals Council (IBPC) was also quite pleased with the change in direction the country has taken.
“The latest amendment in the labour law will definitely help regularise the labour market providing a healthy competitive environment for both employees and employers,” said IBPC President KM Varghese.
and at last nothing will change.
we've been seeing this headline for years.