Final Draft of the Kafala Law to be ready before 2015 ends

The Qatari cabinet is preparing the final draft of the kafala reform legislation and is expected to complete it before the end of 2015, a statement from the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar said Monday.

Qatari authorities have made "measurable progress" with regard to labor practices in Qatar, the statement said. They added that the new legislation represented "significant reform of the kafala labour contract system." The office however said that the reform of kafala system was "just one step in a longer journey, and in the months ahead the Government will be looking at further reforms to the labor practices in our country."

The Communications Office also expressed the Qatari government's understanding of the concerns of global NGOs and other stakeholders with regard to the rights of expatriate workers. The office said in the statement that Qatar was "deeply grateful to those who have come from foreign lands to help us build our nation," before adding that "Their labor rights – and their human rights – should be, must be, and will be respected."

The Qatari government will be looking for ways to address dishonest recruitment practices in home countries of expatriate workers, noting that many of the workers "arrive in Doha with debts of $5000 or more," the office said. The statement then highlighted that just like workers help build the Qatari nation, the wages they take help support their families and their countries' economy.

"Last year alone, foreign workers in Qatar transferred more than $14 billion in remittances, supporting some 1.3 million families in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and elsewhere around the world," the communication's office said.

"Qatar has an established legislative process that governs the creation and revision of its laws," The office said. They noted that the Qatari legislative process has been established to accommodate and balance different points of view. The office then provided a breakdown of the process of issuing laws in Qatar. The first step begins with the cabinet, responsible for all of the laws of the State of Qatar, submitting a draft law to the Shura Council for review. The council, comprised of 30 Qatari citizens, then provides its recommendations on the proposed law and policy. Afterwards, the council sends the draft law to the cabinet along with the recommendations for the ministers responsible for the law's implementation to discuss it.

Following that established procedure, the kafala reform legislation was sent by the cabinet to the Shura Council for review. The council then made a number of recommendations to the draft. On Sunday, HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani met with members of the Shura Council to discuss these recommendations.

Source: GULF TIMES

Share your thoughts.

 

It's indeed a long journey before it will be officially implemented. Important is they are working on it, revising the necessary for the benefit of the employees, employers and the country. It's too early to expect what to happen but not too late to hope for a better change.

 

I hope there's exciting things that could make the results worth-a-wait. What's the most exciting thing do you look forward upon the issuance of the result of the final draft of Kafala system?salary increment,more opportunities and more freedom to look for a company that pays higher?

 

I agree. Freedom to transfer after serving faithfully your contract with your existing employer. This is what I really hope much.

 

this is a great news yes what is important is they trying their best to working on it..and hoping it will implemented soon..The new law represents significant reform of the kafala labour contract system this was just one step in a longer journey, and in the months ahead the government will be looking at further reforms to labour practices in country.this time Qatar will prove that his deeply grateful to those who have come from foreign lands to help us build their nation. Their labour rights and their human rights should be, must be, and will be respected..

 

Hahahaha final stage? I was in Qatar in 2012 when they say that, now it's 2015 nothing change. I got bored of this , it's been a long time they keep saying final stage.

 

I have been working here in Qatar since 2007 and I have had a lot of opportunities to transfer but I didn't get NOC. Well, there's still time to hope that this time we'll get NOC so we can work and offer our services also to other companies.

 

Keep your fingers crossed friends, sooner we will get to know what is in stored good for all from Qatar Government. It;s time for change and hope something good is on its way. Insha Allah