Qatar advances domestic workers’ rights through legal reforms

Doha, Qatar: Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Dr. Mohammed bin Saif Al-Kuwari, has affirmed that Qatar has made remarkable progress in safeguarding the rights of domestic workers. 

Speaking at an event in Doha yesterday, he highlighted that this commitment is clearly demonstrated through a series of legal reforms, most notably the introduction of Law No. (15) of 2017, which specifically addresses the rights and protections of domestic workers.

NHRC and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a high-level discussion session and a roundtable meeting at the Westin Doha Hotel yesterday. 

This event was held to commemorate International Domestic Workers’ Day under the theme “Advancing Access to Justice for Domestic Workers: Enhancing Legal Support and Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms.” 

The discussion saw participation from the Ministries of Labor and Interior, along with several experts.

Al-Kuwari stated that celebrating international, regional, and national human rights days provides a valuable opportunity to assess progress in addressing human rights concerns and raising awareness about them.

He emphasised, “We seize International Domestic Workers’ Day to continue our efforts in education, awareness, and advocacy with our partners and stakeholders, especially since about 168,626 individuals are performing domestic work in Qatar, according to the 2022 Labor Force Survey report issued by the Planning and Statistics Authority (National Planning Council) in 2023. 

“These individuals represent 8.39% of the total non-Qatari workforce, which has made this work an integral part of our economic and social life in Qatar.”

He added, “These workers have left their communities in search of livelihood opportunities that ensure a decent life for them and sustainable development for their communities. From our perspective, protecting the rights of domestic workers is a protection of human rights guaranteed in the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, which stipulates that Qatari society is based on the pillars of justice, benevolence, freedom, equality, and noble ethics.’ 

“These are the fundamental components that reflect Qatari society’s vision of domestic workers as an integral part of the Qatari family, based on values of giving, respect, and goodness for all its members.”

Al-Kuwari affirmed that caring for the rights of domestic workers is a social and cultural priority, based on the Islamic principle: “Is there any reward for goodness except goodness?” 

He also pointed out that the Qatari Constitution emphasizes the principle of equality, the rule of law, human dignity, personal freedoms, and integrity. P3