Doha                                                                                                                                                                                    10 May 2018                                                                                                                                                                         (QT)

THE National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) organised a workshop at its headquarters on Wednesday, discussing workers' rights in the State of Qatar.

Topics for discussion were the characteristics of the expatriates' entry, exit and residency law targeting the employees of the NHRC, the immigration authority, and the Ministry of Labor, Administrative Development and Social Affairs, in addition to representatives of large companies in the country, lawyers and legal experts.

The workshop aims to introduce its audience to international and regional mechanisms for workers' rights and highlight the international context of workers' rights from the perspective of international treaties and agreements.

Furthermore, the workshop discussed the role of non-government organisations and the civil community in advancing and protecting workers' rights. On the other hand, the workshop focused on the national framework of workers' rights in Qatar and notably the legal frameworks regulating them such as the labor law in general and the law number 21 for 2015 regulating the entry, exit and residency of expatriate workers. The workshop also included a presentation of workers' rights status in the country based on the NHRC reports.

Member of the NHRC Dr Mohamed Saif al Kuwari praised Qatar's efforts and contributions to advancing and protecting workers' rights given the country's reliance on large numbers of expatriate workers contributing to its economic prosperity and the development of its infrastructure.

He added:"Qatar's focus on advancing workers' rights is reflected in a number of urgent changes of policies and amendments to laws related to workers' rights and aiming to achieve a greater extent of enhancement for working conditions and providing them with healthcare and safety in their workplace. In addition, these amendments aim to stabilize workers' legal status and residency in the country in alignment with international law and the constitution of Qatar."

Kuwari noted that the NHRC is dedicating its efforts towards monitoring, developing and protecting workers' in a way that guarantees a smooth and practical implementation of their rights.

He added that the workshop came to raise awareness of workers' rights and provide a more precise understanding of their privileges in the international, regional and national context and with the characteristics of the law number 21 of 2015.

The workshop included a session that discussed human rights' status in Qatar in addition to the advancements achieved and the lacking necessities such as policies and procedures presented by Mohamed al Obaidly and Iman al Ishaq, representatives of the department of inspection affiliated with the assistant undersecretary for labor affairs and the legal consultant of the NHRC Ali Mehrem.