Qatar ‘not doing enough’ on workers rights

Qatar has been urged to start implementing labour reforms it proposed last year after a string of revelations about the abuse of migrant labourers and poor working conditions.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday said in a statement that it welcomed proposals made last year by Doha to revamp its kefala system, which ties migrant workers to particular companies, prevents them leaving without exit visas, and gives them little protection against abuse in the workplace.

"Qatari authorities announced their intention to implement proposed labour reforms 'by early 2015'. The proposals... if implemented... would partially reform the kefala system, increase fines for passport confiscation, and make it easier for workers to receive exit visas to leave the country," the group said.

"However, reforms based solely on these proposals will not adequately protect migrant workers from human trafficking, forced labour, and other rights violations, or ensure their right to leave the country."

Qatar has come under increasing international pressure to reform its labour laws since winning the rights to the 2022 football World Cup.

About 90 percent of Qatar's two million population are migrant workers, the vast majority of whom are low-paid labourers and construction workers.

Last exit Doha

In May 2014, Qatar's interior ministry announced its intention to implement a reform to allow workers to change their employer at the end of their contract.

Currently, workers cannot change jobs without the consent of their current employer.

However, Nicholas McGeehan, Gulf researcher at HRW, says that this does not go far enough.

"The key issue is not after the contract but during the contract," he said. "If the employer abuses the the worker, he or she can't leave. Qatar is maintaining the essence of kefala and only reforming one aspect."

If the employer abuses the the worker, he or she can't leave. Qatar is maintaining the essence of kefala. - Nicholas McGeehan, HRW

In its 2015 world report, released late last month, Human Rights Watch noted that Qatar's Law 14 of 2004 sets workers' rights, such as working hours, paid annual leave, and health and safety.

However, "in practice, employers continue to flout these requirements with impunity due to the failure of the authorities to enforce this and other laws intended to protect workers' rights", the report states.

Workers often pay "exorbitant recruitment fees", and employers regularly take their passports when they arrive in the country, the report says.

Employers sometimes fail to pay wages on time, if at all, and workers are not allowed to unionise or go on strike.

"Many migrant workers are obliged to live in cramped, unsanitary conditions, especially those working without documentation."

There is no protection at all for migrant domestic workers. Employers are not required to allow them rest days or rest periods when at work, nor to limit their working hours.

Kept on a leash

In order to leave the country, all foreign workers need a signed piece of paper from their employer to obtain an "exit visa", meaning workers can be kept in the country against their will if the employer fails or refuses to sign.

Qatar proposed that the system be reformed to allow a worker to apply for an exit visa through a centralised system that would issue visas automatically. However, employers would have 72 hours to object.

HRW's McGeehan sees no reason not to abolish this "indefensible" element: "Why not get praise from organisations such as HRW and Amnesty and be seen to be taking positive steps with no impact on ability of businessmen to run bussineses?"