More diplomats have lauded Qatar’s labour reforms, which were announced on Sunday. Qatar has introduced a minimum wage package for all private sector workers, including domestic workers, and abolished the No-Objection Certificate requirement to change jobs as part of its labour reform programme.
Serbian ambassador to Qatar Jasminko Pozderac expressed appreciation for the labour reforms as well as the joy of his compatriots in Qatar in this regard. He said the measures would reflect positively on the already excellent labour market reputation of Qatar.
He said, “I have received the news about the labour reforms in Qatar with excitement and joy. All the measures that have been introduced and put into force by the State authorities are very important for improving the lives of the workforce in the country, especially expatriates of different nationalities.”
He pointed out that Law No 17 of 2020 that sets the minimum wage for labourers and domestic workers, Decree Law No 18 of 2020 to amend several provisions of the Labour Law issued within the Law No 14 of 2004, and Decree Law No 19 of 2020 to amend several provisions of Law No 21 of 2015 regarding regulation of the entry, exit and residency of expatriates, highlight the strong desire of the country under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to protect the rights of expatriate workers and give them the best possible conditions to realise their aspiration for a better future.
“I congratulate the State of Qatar and its people for this historic achievement. The reforms will make Qatar even more competitive for foreign workers in the future. The labour reforms are no doubt very beneficial for all residents and citizens of Qatar.
Therefore, I am convinced that other States in the Gulf should follow the Qatari example in the future,” he said.
Ambassador Pozderac felt that the labour reforms would help strengthen the bond between the Qatari people and foreign residents.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese ambassador to Qatar Nguyen Dinh Thao described the newly introduced legal reforms as “a significant move by the Government of Qatar to further protect the rights of expatriates labourers”.
He said, “I highly appreciate the new positive step in Qatar’s labour reform programme, which sets a non-discriminatory minimum wage for workers and removes the No-Objection Certificate requirement to change jobs for employees.
At present, many Vietnamese workers are working in Qatar in various fields and such decisions are good news to them as it could further protect their rights and facilitate the process of changing jobs.”
He also expressed hope that Qatar will provide more favourable conditions to the expatriate workforce in general and the Vietnamese workforce in the country in particular.
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