1.3m expatriate workers benefiting from the Wage Protection System
Qatar’s Wage Protection System (WPS), which makes it mandatory for employers to transfer workers’ salaries on time to their bank accounts, has benefitted around 1.3 million expatriate workers so far, a top official has said.
WPS was made mandatory in Qatar on November 3, 2015, under the amended labour law.
Addressing an event to mark the International Workers Day, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Dr Eissa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, said Qatar is continuing to work on developing legislations, improve the work environment and maintain the stability and dignity of all working people.
“Several international organisations have appreciated the efforts made by Qatar to improve the situation of workers and their work environment and the required legislations that Qatar has enacted recently. The latest of those efforts was to make a new legislation to guarantee protection of workers’ wages. The number of workers who benefited from the WPS was 1.3m,” he said.
The official noted that Qatar has already made noticeable progress in terms of protecting the rights of foreign workers in the country and will continue to do it, considering their pivotal role in development.
He said Qatar is determined to implement occupational health and safety standards in line with international standards.
The Minister said Qatar is also keen to take necessary action against all entities which are not complying with these global standards.
The Minister praised companies and institutions that are committed to maintaining the rights of their workers.
He also stressed the role of Law No 21 of 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriate workers that will come into force soon, in safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees under a contractual system.
Several decisions were issued to protect and care expatriate workers including regulations and specifications for suitable workers’ housing, fixing their duty hours, the regulation regarding outdoor work during summer and establishment of a special section at the ministry for wage protection, he added.
Courtesy: thepeninsulaqatar.com
that's right.........!
So far, it only applies to companies with 500 and more employees. Smaller companies still have a year or two to implement WPS. And, isn't it the small private companies who normally don't pay salaries on time? Another eye-washer for the outside world but not a real progress. Joys to all who believe the lies.
Well done Qatar.. It would be nice to know also, how many companies had been warned / prosecuted for late payment
God bless Qatar