Qatar World Cup Reforms Take Route to Enhance Labor Laws
In the Middle Eastern monarchy sphere, Qatar World Cup reforms have sought to alter the dynamics of the country, making it stand out against the others. Last year, Qatar introduced the non-discriminatory minimum wage, becoming the first in region to make such move. Employers were granted a six-month transition period to prepare for the new law.
It was recently, on March 20, 2021, that this latest reform came into force to shower the advantages on all workers, including domestic workers, working in various sectors, regardless of their nationalities. It was viewed as a part of some major Qatar World Cup reforms, which have brought crucial modifications to the country’s historic labor laws.
Under the legislation, employers are entitled to pay a minimum monthly wage of $275 (1,000 Qatari riyals) to all employees. Besides, workers who are not provided with food and accommodation will receive a minimum allowance of QAR 300 for food and QAR 500 for housing. As a part of Qatar World Cup reforms, the non-discriminatory minimum wage has ensured financial security for over 400,000 workers who are working to make the country FIFA ready.
Max Tuñón from the International Labor Organization Project Office in Qatar said, “This wage increase will also improve the lives of a large number of family members in the workers’ countries of origin who rely on the remittances sent every month.”
The new legislation came after other major Qatar World Cup reforms, changing the system to make it appropriate for the workers. In contrast to its distinguished neighbors, Qatar became the first Gulf nation to dismantle the Kafala system, in 2020. Following that, the compulsion to obtain an exit permit to depart the country was removed for the workers. Besides, the requirement of No Objection Certificate (NOC) was also removed.
While the country will shortly be hosting FIFA 2022, the Qatar World Cup reforms don’t seem to be simply regional achievements. They are also setting great examples across the region. The landmark changes that Qatar has introduced in past few years have set it apart from countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and others, which continue to follow the oppressive labor laws like the Kafala system.