By Mohammed Shoeb
DOHA: Qatar’s private sector will have no issues if the government makes amendments to the sponsorship law so long as its interests, especially the interests of Qatari private businesses, are protected, say businessmen.
However, they are not at one on the matter. Some suggest that if changes in the law are inevitable they should be implemented in a phased manner, and that too with great caution and without compromising the socio-economic stability of the country. They argue that the sponsorship or ‘kafala’ system is very important in the region as almost all economic activity is based on it.
“Whatever the amendments or changes coming up with respect to the existing sponsorship law, I am sure that the government will seriously consider the interests of private sector businesses”, said Remy Rowhani, CEO and Director General of Qatar Chamber (QC), Qatar’s oldest and largest private sector representative body.
Rowhani was quick to add that unless there was a proper system in place to protect the interests of the local private business community, QC would find it extremely difficult to cope with the situation.
“I hope that whatever will be the amendments in the law, they will be in the interests of both, the business and expatriate communities,” he said.
On the perception that QC, as the representative body of Qatar’s business community, lobbies against any reforms in the sponsorship law, Rowhani quipped: “It’s a perception among some sections of the expatriate community. Qatar Chamber’s fundamental commitment is to protect the interests of Qatar’s business community…. As an industry body it is our duty to ensure that the interests of the business community are well-protected.”
Elaborating on the business community’s reservations on scrapping the exit permit system, he said: “The problem is that if someone is under my sponsorship and he has signatory powers, such as the right to sign cheques etc, he can do that and leave the country, and I will not be able to have a say in it. After he is gone, the concerned bank will come to me and ask me to repay the millions of riyals he has taken away.”
“Scrapping the exit permit system may create big problems for us. This was our major concern in the beginning. However, what I understand is that the ministry is looking into alternatives and will put in place terms and conditions to protect the interests of private sector businesses,” Rowhani added.
“There are a lot of suggestions, ideas and proposals coming from different sections of the society, some of which have appeared in the local media. For instance, someone has suggested that if a foreign employee has served for a certain length of time, he or she should be allowed to change the sponsor or get exemption from the exit permit rule. So long as it does not hamper the interests of local businesses, we have no issue,” he said.
Rowhani does not agree with the argument that ending the exit permit system would pose a threat to the country’s social stability.
“I don’t think that is true. If that has any essence of truth the government will never allow the law to change, because the interests of the people and the business community are the first priority of the government,” he said.
Abdul Rahman Al Ansari, a prominent Qatari businessman, said: “Changes in the sponsorship law should be carried out in a phased manner. It takes time to create the atmosphere to change a law that has existed for nearly four decades.”
“This region in general and Qatar in particular are unique with respect to demography, size of the economy etc.... Here everything is related to the sponsorship law. So things should be seen in perspective. It cannot be done overnight. The interests of the local community and businesses need to be taken into account before amending the law,” said Al Ansari.
He said there were many activities for which the sponsor’s permission was unnecessary. Why should an expat be asked to produce the sponsor’s consent to apply for a driver’s licence, he asked.
“It has also been noticed that some companies, especially banks, find employees of some companies (sponsors) more creditworthy while others are assumed to be less so,” he said.
“I am not against the proposed changes. All I am saying is we need to compare the number of nationals and the expatriate population in Qatar before enacting or amending any law. Look at the size of Asian communities in Qatar. Are they not supporting and promoting the interests of their respective countries by repatriating their earnings?”
Al Ansari, who is CEO of Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company, said: “We are not interested in keeping the passports of foreign workers and signing exit permits.Those who are critical and exerting pressure on Qatar for changes in the law in question should ponder and evaluate Qatar’s unique position. They need to understand the ground realities in the right perspective.”
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