Italian envoy lauds Qatar for new labour reforms

Italian ambassador Pasquale Salzano lauded Qatar and the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs for the approval of draft laws that further protect workers’ rights. “This important reform establishes a non-discriminatory minimum wage for all workers and completes the abolishment of the “kafala system” by removing the exit permit for domestic workers and all other categories of expat workers not covered by Law No. 13 of 2018,” the envoy told reporters yesterday.Salzano also welcomed the unanimous decision taken by the Council of the Ministers to eliminate the no objection certificate (NOC) from employers, which was previously necessary for workers to change jobs. Qatar’s Cabinet also recently approved a draft law that would possibly allow workers to switch jobs while their employment contract is still valid.Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Yousef bin Mohamed al-Othman Fakhro announced the new labour reform on Wednesday at the International Labour Organisation’s centenary celebrations in Doha. “These measures will make Qatar a role model in the region in the field of labour protection, contributing to advance social justice and support the rights of migrant workers,” Salzano said.“As soon as the reform enters into force, this remarkable transformation of the labour market will certainly benefit and strengthen the Qatari economy,” he stressed. “I am confident that foreign investors and companies will be particularly attracted by a local business environment more friendly and dynamic.”