African Trade Union delegation lauds Qatar’s labour reforms

Doha: The African Trade Union delegation to Doha has lauded Qatar’s labour reforms after concluding a two-day working mission to Doha. 

In a press statement, the high-level delegation of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) said they followed up on migrant and labour issues concerning African workers in Doha during their visit to the country on February 19 and 20. 

“The mission was a follow up to the commitment that the African Workers Group made during the 2021 Africa-Arab Labour Migration Webinar Conference hosted by the International Labour Organisation, to continue to explore ways to build cohesion and find means to improve fair recruitment and general labour migration governance,” the statement read.

“Also, this mission was undertaken as a way of building and enhancing social dialogue between the State of Qatar and the African trade union movement. It should be recalled that there is a significant and growing number of African migrants living and working in Qatar. Also, on the back of the FIFA World Cup slated to be hosted by the country later this year, migrant inflow to Qatar significantly increased.”

Besides, the delegation stressed that “on ensuring the protection of the human and labour rights of migrant workers, the (ITUC) undertook a campaign to ensure that host nations of global sporting events adhere to standards and prescriptions. Thus, the ITUC and other Global Union Federations together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) worked with the State of Qatar to reform its laws and practices.”

ITUC-Africa welcomes the pieces of reform that the Qatari state has undertaken and considers them progressive. We had good reasons to issue statements in the past commending and appreciating these efforts. This is because as part of the agency for accountability, we call out undesirable and inappropriate actions of State Actors and Employers. We are not shy to also commend them when they act responsibly.

The delegates visited several places — work and construction sites and organisations where they interacted with different categories of stakeholders involved in and connected to the reform processes such as ILO officials, Qatari officials (notably the Minister of Labour, the Qatar Human Rights Committee and the Qatari Parliament (Shura Council) receiving the African workers’ delegation. The delegation also visited and interacted with migrant workers, especially those from Africa and obtained first hand information about their working conditions.

Also, they visited the Afghanistan Refugee Centre set up by Qatar to assist with the evacuation of Afghans, including workers and members of their families considered at risk with the fall of the former government in Kabul. 

“We learned with appreciation that some 75,000 Afghans and other nationals have been successfully evacuated and some are settled in their new homes.

This action is a strong show of solidarity and pragmatic demonstration of Qatar’s commitment to our shared humanity,” the statement added.
According to the delegates, the visits instils confidence that the reforms are real and are being implemented, howbeit with some challenges. 

“It is heartwarming to note that the Qatari government has itself acknowledged that despite the remarkable results achieved, that there is still room for improvement as their efforts are work in progress! We find this disposition humbling and exemplary. We, therefore, call on all progress-hunters to stand ready and willing to support the Qatari State in their continuous efforts to improve.”

Finally, amongst the several positive take-aways from this mission are the firm commitment made by the Qatari Government that it will continue to facilitate Qatar and member-states of the African Union (AU) collaboration as a vehicle to continue to advance fair recruitment of more African migrants.

“We wish the Qatari Government and people well as they continue to prepare to successfully host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. In doing so we also hope that the reforms that have begun in the labour market in Qatar will continue beyond the 2022 World Cup and serve as a veritable legacy that contributes to the attainment of the decent work agenda that can be shared and enjoyed by all, including migrant workers,” the delegates concluded.