Much has been said about the abuse taking place at CNAQ. One issue that has not been reported is the lack of respect for basic rights as guaranteed in the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Specifically I refer to article 7:
"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice."
How is CNAQ abusing this right? By not negotiating multiple exit permits for its employees - a facility that is readily available in the state of Qatar.
Now, I know there are people out there who will respond with comments such as
"We are in Qatar - we have to adjust to local circumstances"
and:
"IF you can't take it go home" (This is a classic from people who cannot cut it in the real world and will sacrifice basic rights here because they are employed in a position beyond their competency.)
However, we are employed by a C.A.N.A.D.I.A.N company and for most of us, we pay taxes to Canada. It is reasonable to expect that our Canadian employer will honor the rights enshrined in the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Ironically, many local Qatari organizations provide multiple exit permits for their employees because they know most westerners would not work here if this basic freedom was curtailed.
I have no problem whatsoever with the rules of residency as determined by the state of Qatar. I do have an issue every time I apply for an exit permit from CNAQ to leave Qatar. The process developed by CNAQ is intrusive, demeaning, and actually gathers more information than is necessary to issue an exit permit. (It is surreptitiously also used as a means to enforce per-diem allowance policy) For example, a destination is asked for when none is required by the State of Qatar (they only want to know that we are authorized to leave). In addition, the process requires a four day lead time making it impossible, for example, to wake up one Friday and on-the-spur-of-the-moment take a shopping trip to Dubai. Think about it: imagine working for CNA in St. John's and not being able to travel to the US for the weekend because your manager has not authorized your (out of work time) trip. Unthinkable? you betcha!
I wonder how many of our esteemed "executives" have multiple exit permits? I'll bet they all do - and that is probably why they will not negotiate on our behalf.
So what to do! Well, the same Canadian charter of rights and freedoms has a remedy for citizens whose rights have been compromised:
"Anyone whose rights or freedoms, as guaranteed by this Charter, have been infringed or denied may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain such remedy as the court considers appropriate and just in the circumstances." - article 24
Alternatively, we could all apply for exit permits every week until the ineffective management of this institution gets the message that as tax paying Canadians, we deserve to have our charter rights preserved.
I wonder how many other charter rights are being abused?
Much has been said about the abuse taking place at CNAQ. One issue that has not been reported is the lack of respect for basic rights as guaranteed in the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Specifically I refer to article 7:
"Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice."
How is CNAQ abusing this right? By not negotiating multiple exit permits for its employees - a facility that is readily available in the state of Qatar.
Now, I know there are people out there who will respond with comments such as
"We are in Qatar - we have to adjust to local circumstances"
and:
"IF you can't take it go home" (This is a classic from people who cannot cut it in the real world and will sacrifice basic rights here because they are employed in a position beyond their competency.)
However, we are employed by a C.A.N.A.D.I.A.N company and for most of us, we pay taxes to Canada. It is reasonable to expect that our Canadian employer will honor the rights enshrined in the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Ironically, many local Qatari organizations provide multiple exit permits for their employees because they know most westerners would not work here if this basic freedom was curtailed.
I have no problem whatsoever with the rules of residency as determined by the state of Qatar. I do have an issue every time I apply for an exit permit from CNAQ to leave Qatar. The process developed by CNAQ is intrusive, demeaning, and actually gathers more information than is necessary to issue an exit permit. (It is surreptitiously also used as a means to enforce per-diem allowance policy) For example, a destination is asked for when none is required by the State of Qatar (they only want to know that we are authorized to leave). In addition, the process requires a four day lead time making it impossible, for example, to wake up one Friday and on-the-spur-of-the-moment take a shopping trip to Dubai. Think about it: imagine working for CNA in St. John's and not being able to travel to the US for the weekend because your manager has not authorized your (out of work time) trip. Unthinkable? you betcha!
I wonder how many of our esteemed "executives" have multiple exit permits? I'll bet they all do - and that is probably why they will not negotiate on our behalf.
So what to do! Well, the same Canadian charter of rights and freedoms has a remedy for citizens whose rights have been compromised:
"Anyone whose rights or freedoms, as guaranteed by this Charter, have been infringed or denied may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to obtain such remedy as the court considers appropriate and just in the circumstances." - article 24
Alternatively, we could all apply for exit permits every week until the ineffective management of this institution gets the message that as tax paying Canadians, we deserve to have our charter rights preserved.
I wonder how many other charter rights are being abused?