DOHA: There are indications that the scope of the labour law might be expanded to bring within its ambit workers from sectors in which the government does not have full ownership.
The Advisory Council yesterday approved a draft law that seeks to amend provisions of two article of the labour law (Number 14 of 2004).
The articles in question are number 3 and number 37.
The above draft law seeks to alter clause 1 of Article 3 of the labour law.
The clause says that workers from of the ministries, government authorities, corporations, companies set up by the government or in companies in which Qatar Petroleum (QP) has a stake are not covered by the labour law.
Workers, according to clause 1 of Article 3, from oil companies, joint ventures in petrol and petrochemicals sectors and others who are regulated by special laws are also not to be covered by the labour law.
However, the amendment to the draft law suggested to the above clause says that workers from companies owned by the government would not be covered by the labour law.
Experts feel the proposed amendment in the draft law that was yesterday approved by the Advisory Council suggests that some sectors that are so far not covered by the labour law might be brought within its scope.
Two other draft laws were approved by the Advisory Council yesterday.
One pertained to allowing the Ministry of Economy and Finance to set up two shareholding companies that would launch Islamic bonds.
These would be companies with huge capital base.
The other draft law seeks to govern the sale and purchase of locally produced petrochemical products.
It is interesting to note that the draft law that seeks to empower the Ministry of Economy and Finance to establish two publicly-traded companies to float Islamic bonds, known as sukuk, would also be authorised to transfer land and real estate as well as movable assets belonging to the state to the two companies.
By extension, the two companies would be authorised to carry out sale, purchase and provide guarantees on behalf of the government.
The liabilities on account of the above ownership not exceeding $4bn, which is the proposed capital of the two companies together, would also be shared by both firms.
The draft law seeks to vest enormous powers in the Minister of Economy and Finance.
It authorises him to sign agreements or any other documents on behalf of the two proposed companies and take measures he deems fit to make sure that the law is effectively implemented.
The Peninsula
