DOHA: A change in the sponsorship law is expected to be made by Qatari authorities soon, according to a European Parliament delegation visiting Doha.
Mario David, chair of the delegation, said they had been informed of a significant change to be made in the ‘kafala’ system; however, a time frame was not specified.
The six-member delegation is on a two-day visit to see the working and living conditions of migrant workers.
“We have witnessed the commitment of the government, and even among the teams that are working on the subject. They have told us at what stage the work is now. I’m very, very confident that this time it is not far away,” said David, on the sidelines of a press conference yesterday.
“We are absolutely satisfied with what has been told,” he added.
The delegation will report to the European Parliament about its observations in Doha.
“The next (European) parliament, when it convenes next September, will certainly do a follow-up, but then almost sure, already with the new law,” David said.
Earlier, speaking at the press conference, David said the Qatar government should give serious consideration to alternatives to the sponsorship system and allow migrant workers to change jobs freely.
The delegation held discussions about migrant workers with the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Shura council speaker,
H E Muhammad bin Mubarak Al Khulaifi, other representatives of the government and the Shura Council, members of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which is in charge of preparations for the 2022 World Cup, and civil society representatives.
The delegation appreciated Qatari authorities’ openness on issues related to migrant workers.
“The Qatari authorities have also assured (us of) aiming at raising awareness among migrant workers about their rights, the planned construction of new accommodation centres with appropriate facilities, and efforts to establish effective monitoring mechanisms,” said David.
However, the delegation stressed the importance of effective implementation of existing legislation aimed at protecting migrant workers, establishing a credible time table for planned reforms and ensuring they are guaranteed via benchmarks.
The delegation urged authorities to step up efforts to enforce a ban on confiscation of passports and ensure accountability and prosecution of all violators of laws designed to protect migrant workers. It also discussed the condition of domestic workers, women’s rights and human trafficking with officials and visited detention and deportation centres and spoke to some migrant detainees.
THE PENINSULA
