01/09/2020
Qatar: New laws to protect migrant workers are a step in the right direction | Amnesty International
“For too long, laws that ban workers from changing jobs without their employer’s permission, along with
widespread low pay, have left migrant workers in Qatar at the mercy of abusive employers. We welcome the
enactment of these laws, and now call on the Qatari authorities to ensure they are swiftly and properly
implemented,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice.
“If implemented as promised, the removal of restrictions on workers changing jobs should make it easier for
workers to escape abuse. This is an encouraging sign that Qatar may finally be heading in the right
direction, and we call on Qatar to go further with these reforms, including removing the charge of
absconding, to make sure that the rights of all workers are fully protected.”
The two reforms were first announced by the Emir of Qatar in October 2019 and were signed into law today.
The first will abolish the ‘No-objection certificate’ which prevents migrant workers from changing jobs
without the permission of their employer. Under the new law, workers will be able to leave their job by
providing a one-month written notice if they have worked for the employer for less than two years, or a two
month notice if they have worked for them for longer. The worker will not have to pay these costs, and the
transfer request would be processed by the Ministry of Labour.
However, the reforms have not removed the ability of employers to file criminal ‘absconding’ charges
against workers who leave their job without permission. Employers will also remain responsible for renewing
and cancelling their workers’ residence permits, thus retaining considerable power over their employees.
The second reform introduces a 1,000 Qatari riyal monthly minimum wage ($275/£211), plus allowances of
300 QAR for food and 500 QAR for accommodation if these are not provided by the company. This wage
applies to everyone, including domestic workers who have previously been excluded from reform measures.
In 2019, the ILO conducted a study to advise on setting a minimum wage level. The study has not been
made public, but media reports last year suggest it recommended a minimum wage of at least 1,250 QAR.
The minimum wage replaces a temporary minimum wage of 750 QAR introduced in 2017, although some
nationalities already had higher minimum wages negotiated via bilateral agreements. Nepali workers were
already paid a minimum of 900 QAR, for example, and Filipino workers 1,400 QAR per month.
“ While the new minimum wage will boost the incomes of some of Qatar’s
lowest-paid workers, the level set remains low. To truly make a difference
it will need to be regularly reviewed and progressively increased to
secure just and favourable conditions for workers. ”
Steve Cockburn
“While the new minimum wage will boost the incomes of some of Qatar’s lowest-paid workers, the level set
remains low. To truly make a difference it will need to be regularly reviewed and progressively increased to
secure just and favourable conditions for workers,” said Steve Cockburn.
“This will need to be accompanied by much tougher action against employers who fail to pay their
employees properly, or at all. To guarantee everyone’s right to a decent standard of living, Qatar must also
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/08/qatar-annoucement-kafala-reforms/
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