Qatari civil servants have been demanding their right to the end- of-service financial reward.
The reward has been suspended in violation of laws that give them the right to it once they meet stipulated terms, for 10 years now.
This right is provided in the Human Resources Law for 2009 and in Article No. 23 of the Retirement Law No. 24/2002.
Both make it mandatory for civil servants who spend 20 years or more in the job to receive the reward. Both laws are still in force as no decisions have been taken to abolish them.
We do not need to reiterate the fact that our dear state pays huge attention to the highest degree of integrity and vocational and social fairness. Our country also sets a model in backing legitimate demands in and outside the country.
This makes it hard for us to imagine a government official denying a civil servant one of his/her legitimate rights.
Why should citizens resort to the courts to complain against their deprivation of one of their legitimate and legal rights? How can any person hinder the enforcement of laws or court rulings that must be implemented, regardless of the position of this person?
I ask these questions, even as each and every one of us is certain about the integrity of our judicial system. We are also certain that our rulers are doing their best to usher in the highest degree of dignity and vocational security for citizens. Even with this, we condemn the delay in implementing laws that ensure the rights and duties of Qatari civil servants in all fields. Some government officials tend to wash their hands off the implementation of the laws.
The failure to give civil servants their right to end-of-service reward is a flagrant and disgusting example.
This reward is a legitimate right of all civil servants. Employers have to take the initiative to give it in full to their employees, even if they do not request for it. Employees deserve this reward in return for their efforts, long service and honesty during the years of their work. The reward is not a gift from anybody to them.
What can be understood from the above-mentioned article is that employees have the right to this reward whether they continue to do the job or are forced to retire.
Here we can recall what happened to a large number of Qatari employees who were referred to what was known as the Central Clause or what is now the General Secretariat and Administrative Development. Years passed before they could get their reward. Many were even referred to the Retirement Fund and could not get the reward, even as a court ruling supported their right to it.
The sorry thing is that most people who were subjected to this treatment were employees of the Ministry of Education. This was done in disregard for the educational role they had played and their constructive efforts towards achieving major national goals. These employees’ students — mostly in leading positions now — bear witness to their role and efforts.
Military personnel and workers receive distinguished treatment and get their full right as far as the end-of-service reward is concerned. Civil workers also have the same right to the same treatment and the same reward, given the fact that everybody should be equal before the law.
Military and civil workers play an important role in the country’s development. The fact is that senior army and police officers are taught by civil servants at schools and universities.
Legal experts say civil servants have the right to the end-of-service reward without any commitment to the Retirement Law. Which is why it is important that the Human Resources Law and the Retirement Law are in harmony as far as this right is concerned.
We also refer to the importance of the recommendation of the Legislative Council that civil servants should get their pension together with the end-of-service reward. It is not fair that they get the subscription money they paid to the Retirement Fund back in return for the end-of-service reward. The fact that a law is to be issued in this regard in the future should not hinder implementation of the current law.
This is an urgent plea to the Prime Minister and the members of his Cabinet. We call on them to issue a law that guarantees the right of Qatari civil servants to the end-of-service reward.
The law should also bring an end to debates over the issue. We have confidence that decisionmakers will positively respond to the plea because our leaders and honest officials always stand by the oppressed and help them get their rights.
