Why in News ?
Qatar has brought about a Changes in Qatar’s Labour Laws, the reforms, which were announced by the Emir of Qatar in October 2019, were signed into law on Sunday.
Background
Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup the country has faced flak for its labour laws. Also they are facing allegation as being exploitative of migrant labourers.
Changes in Qatar’s Labour Laws
Scrapping rules requiring migrant workers to take their employers’ permission before changing jobs and setting the monthly minimum wage at about $274, an increase of over 25 per cent.
- Abolished kafala system or requirement for a no objection certificate that migrant workers needed to get from their employers before changing jobs.
- Qatar is the first country in the region to dismantle the “kafala” sponsorship system that is common in the Gulf region.
- Workers will have to serve a one-month notice period if they have worked for less than two years.
- Notice period of two months if they have worked longer.
- Increasing the minimum wage by 25 per cent to $274 or 1000 Qatari riyals
- An additional 300 QAR for food and 500 QAR for accommodation in case not provided by the company.
- These reforms are now applicable to workers of all nationalities and in all sectors, including domestic workers who were previously excluded.
Impact over India
The Indian population in Qatar is nearly 691,000. The new law will increase remittances in the workers’ country of origin. As the new labour law abolished kafala system it will be helpful for migrant labour.
Qatar Region
Source : Indian Express
Topic
GS III : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
Current Affairs Compilation : 3 September 2020