Qataris often talk about the unconvincing reasons given for the delay in announcing the human resources and pension law, and the failure to approve “end of service” benefits, with the law said to be still under study.
If anyone enquires about these, the common reply is: “It will see the light of day soon.” This makes a lot of employees and retirees in the state complain about the delay as they do not know what is blocking the issuance of these laws, which are critical to every employee and retiree.
These delays could get longer due to the recent drop in oil prices, but that factor should not stop quick issuance of the law, which is long overdue.
A few years ago, some state officials said that the pension law would be announced in the near future and it would be the best social security system in the world.
“It would be the best, it is in the process of being approved, and it will soon be established,” said a statement issued years ago.
Similar statements have been made repeatedly, which indicates that they are just meant to pacify the public and lift people’s hopes for a better future through false promises.
Contradictory statements of the Ministry of Economy
Yousef Hussain Kamal, the former minister of economy and finance, declared in the Arab News newspaper of January 11, 2013: “The newly drafted law prepared by the General Retirement and Social Security Authority, which is in progress, addresses many of the issues faced in the implementation of the current law, therefore maintaining the continuity and sustainability of such funds for future generations.”
He noted that the work aimed to create the best social security system in the world. He indicated in a speech while presenting the annual report of the activities of the General Authority for Retirement and Pensions for the year 2011 that it was carrying out analytical and empirical studies to improve the law in order to ensure a good standard of living for the beneficiaries and their dependents, and equal and fair benefits to all.
He said that the best example was the pension hike based on a flat rate for all retirees from the government and non-government sectors. He said the report was a means of communication between the Authority and the community, and it was everyone’s right to know what was happening.
He said the body was moving towards achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 by expanding social security coverage to all citizens working in various sectors in the country.
The Authority is drawing up rules to achieve social, human and economic development in line with the 2030 vision. This is evident from the increase in the number of employers subjected to Law No 24 of 2002 over the years.
Another contradictory statement
In Al Sharq newspaper of April 26, 2012, Turki Al Khater, Chairman of the General Authority for Retirement and Social Security, revealed the content of proposals for the new pension law, which, he said, would be completed in a few days. He said that the end of service and work-related injuries benefits would be granted to the eligible beneficiaries.
He said in an exclusive statement to Al Sharq that the proposals did not suggest reducing the years of service or the retirement age; the age of 60 was suitable and would remain unchanged.
Regarding the new pension law, there was a project to modify the current law, but the amendments number 40 and the authorities felt that a new law would not be possible because there were too many amendments.
With regard to end of service benefits, Al Khater said that the human resources law stipulated that it was not permissible to give a bonus to the employee that had been deducted from his salary. Therefore, the retirement body would work with the human resources amendment committee on this matter and address this discrepancy.
In the same context, Al Khater had said earlier: “2011 was no ordinary year for the Authority and retirees in particular, as a result of the well-intended Emiri decision No. 50 for 2011 issued on 6/9 of the same year that there will be an increase in pensions for all without distinction or exception, in addition to determining the minimum pension before applying the raise, which answered many anticipated questions and aspirations from this fund because of the steady rise in the cost of living.”
He stressed that the body was doing its utmost to improve communication with employers and increase its visibility for the sake of maintaining the fund’s resources.
Al Khater stressed that the authority always looked for the betterment of the country and its citizens.
This is what I have to say in this regard: The betterment of the country and its citizens must be done sincerely and logically, not through empty talk that is fit only for media reports.
Military retirement law better than the civil one
Perhaps one of the points to mention concerning the pension law is that the military retirement commission is better and provides more care than the civil retirement commission.
I have heard — trusting the speaker — that the military takes keen interest in ensuring that its retirees get their dues, while the civil retirement commission is less concerned about helping civilians get their benefits on retirement.
Differentiating between military and civilian employers will cause a lot of confusion and raise legitimate questions, which I hope will be addressed when the new law is published.
The laws are on the Cabinet’s table since 2012
The web page of the Ministry of Justice published a news item on April 26, 2012 which indicates that the law has been on the Cabinet’s table for about three years.
Responding to reporters’ questions at a press conference about issues raised by newspapers, including citizens accusing the Authority of inability to improve the life of retirees, and it not having a role in proposals put forward for amending the new social security law, Al Khater said that the new law for retirement and social security was in its final stages. “It will be presented, once and for all, to the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers next month.”
He said that the Authority had made sure that the bill’s proposals would improve the condition of pensioners, and noted that the proposals were based on studies on expected economic and social changes in the coming years.
What more does the citizen want?
Over the past few years, there have been inconsistencies in the statements of the former minister of economy and the chairman of the retirement authority and the current pension and retirement commissioner.
The question is who will bear the consequences of this unexplained delay and procrastination regarding the retirement and human resources law?
The other important question is, isn’t it the citizen’s right to enjoy their benefits while alive? What is the use of receiving such benefits after death?
This is what Qatar National Vision 2030 calls for; to improve the life of citizens by providing them all means to live a decent life in this rich country, whose first concern is to serve all segments of society and future generations.
Employees and retired citizens want speedy issuance of the aforementioned law and don’t want to hear any more promises and explanations of the law being under study, which are causing despair.
