It will be better — or it will be history.
Interesting article on Dohanews (who're doing a magnificent job btw!)
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Hussein al-Mulla, under secretary of the Labor Ministry, speaking to the New York Times about Qatar’s much-criticized kafala (sponsorship) system.
According to al-Mulla, the country is working to institute reforms to kafala, which currently does not allow a worker to change jobs, travel outside of the nation, rent an apartment or open a checking account without the permission of his or her sponsor.
But progress is slow because of resistance from the local population, the NYT reports:
Some 95 percent of Qatari families employ a housemaid; more than half have two or more. A recent survey by the (Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University) found that nearly 9 in 10 Qataris did not want to see the kafala system weakened; if anything, 30 percent said they wanted to see employers’ prerogatives strengthened.
Al-Mulla added:
“Seven, eight years ago we didn’t have labor laws. It is better now than before. It will be better in the future.”
Thoughts?
Read more: http://dohanews.co/post/47859758692/it-will-be-better-or-it-will-be-hist...
They like to keep the discussion going... lol
After all great technological secrets, held for centuries, will be revealed to the world if workers join other companies...
Can you imagine the influx of people looking for work if / when the current rules are relaxed ?
britexpat I guess the best way to keep Qataris in Jobs is to monitor the Sponsorship system and Exit/Entry controls..:)
Morning Brit!
My comment about their magnificent job was for the work they're already doing, and not just about reporting this article.
You said it rightly that this system will remain in place for a while. Unless the there is a feasible alternative to keep people in check, this system will remain.
So Doha News, by reprinting an article from the NYT is doing a magnificent job ?
Anyway, as far as the Kafala system is concerned, any new system will not be much different. Qatar wants / needs to monitor and control the flow of migrant workers. It can only do so by such a system.
It might get a bit better, but definitely not history! The Kafalah System will not be abolished any time sooner!
I think they might do something for the worldcup 2022 if not for anything else..
so even if "95 percent of Qatari families employ a housemaid" nothing stands in the way to amend the normal labour law that has juridiction on all the rest of employees.
housemaids have a different set of laws.
as per labour law, Article 3:
Except as otherwise provided for in any other law the provisions of this law shall not apply to the following categories:
1. The employees of Ministries, government, public sector, corporations established by QP, and the workers whose employment affairs are regulated by special laws.
2. armed forces and police and workers employed at sea.
3. The workers employed in casual works.
4. The persons employed in domestic employment such as drivers, nurses, cooks, gardeners and similar workers.
5. Working members of employer's family.
6. workers in agriculture and grazing other than the persons employed in the agricultural establishments
The provisions of this law or any part thereof may by a resolution of the Council of
Ministers upon the recommendation of the Minister be applied to categories 3,4,5 & 6
referred to in this Article.
pointless discussion...
This part of the world thrives on Slavery.
discussed n number of times
My personal view...I do not think qatar will bring any change to it...i find the locals selfish when it comes to this sponsor thing...so forget about it