DOHA: In a new initiative, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has set up exclusive help desks catering to different expatriate communities, staffed by members of the respective communities.
An Indian help desk was the first such facility to open at the NHRC premises about two-and-a- half months ago. This was followed by the establishment of help desks catering to the Nepalese and Filipino communities.
Kareem Abdullah, former president of Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) said that the Indian counter became a reality after the NHRC responded positively to a request from ICBF during his tenure.
He said that over a short period, the help desk had received a number of complaints from Indian expatriates, including families, and helped resolve several cases.
“We receive on average five to six complaints daily. Today, a group of 18 workers approached the help desk seeking a solution to their salary-related problems,” Abdullah said last evening.
The complaints range from non-payment of salary, denial of exit permit and sponsorship change by employers to legal and criminal issues. Most of the cases are referred by the Indian embassy, while expatriates also approach NHRC directly. Several married women approach the help desk seeking support in cases involving their husbands.
“When we receive a complaint we refer it to legal experts at NHRC who examine the case and give proper advice to the concerned person or take up the issue with the higher authorities. Some cases are directly referred to the human rights department at the Ministry of Interior,” said Abdullah.
“A major advantage of the help desk is that community members have easier access to government departments that are crucial in resolving their problems,” he added.
He said since its establishment, the Indian help desk had taken up many issues, especially those related to non-payment of salaries and denial of exit permits by employers and requests for sponsorship changes.
“In such cases, NHRC call sponsors/ employers and discuss the issues. In many cases, employers were cooperative in settling the issues amicably,” said Abdullah.
Some complaints related to sponsorship and exit permit are resolved with support from the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Interior, he said, adding the official launch of the Indian help desk is expected soon. It can be contacted on 55691333.
THE PENINSULA
