NRNA NCC Qatar, other migrant communities vow support for Qatar’s labor reform

Qatar / The President of NRNA NCC– Qatar, Mr. Mohammad Muktda Musalman and other leaders of the national communities in the State of Qatar issued a joint statement in support for the achievement of the goals of ongoing labor reforms by the government.  The issuance of the statement is in the light of the enactment of laws last 30 August that allow migrant workers to change jobs without first having to obtain a no objection certificate (NOC), and set a higher non-discriminatory minimum wage. The requirement of NOC to change job is a component of kafala (sponsorship) system, described by many as akin to modern-day slavery. This old system is prevalent in the Gulf and many Arab countries.

The new law that establishes new minimum wage will apply to all workers, of all nationalities and in all sectors, including domestic workers. The law prescribes 1,000 Qatari riyal as basic wage. If food and housing is not provided by employer, there shall be additional 300 Qatari riyal for food and 500 for housing allowance. The prevailing temporary minimum basic wage is at 750 Qatari riyal per month. Mr. Musalman expressed his appreciation “A good number of unskilled and semiskilled Nepalese workers in Qatar will greatly benefit from this law. It shall be considerable amount for our people to send back home to their families”.

Said joint statement of support was handed to the representative of H.E. Mohammed Hassan Al-Obaidly, the Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs of Qatar’s Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs during the second day of the Global Sports Conference last 24 November. Said conference was organized by the Building and Wood Workers’ International, in partnership with the Laboe Ministry and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

Qatar is a nation populated by migrants where only about 1 out of 10 are Qatari citizens. Qatar shall be the host to the FIFA Wo  rld Cup in 2022. International spotlight and scathing reports are levelled against Qatar since it won the bid to host the World Cup. In the statement of migrant community leaders, they committed themselves to “sustained collaboration with the government of Qatar and other stakeholders towards the achievement of the goals of the ongoing labor reforms…” and “work diligently so that the labor reforms are translated into tangible benefits for migrant workers…”.