Prof Mohammed S
As the holy month of Ramadan has started, mobile phone commercials have multiplied. Small and large businesses have hacked into our phones, wasted our time and exhausted us financially, especially when we have to bear the cost of advertising if outside the country.
Therefore, I propose issuing a legislation that prohibits advertising via mobile phones, but the public has to cooperate by informing the competent authorities about all commercial advertising they receive via mobile phone.
The phone was invented for the service of man and not to receive commercials on it. It is a phenomenon worthy of rapid action to legally prohibit and prevent it.
As another issue, a foreign employee has been working since 2013 for a major Qatari company as a foreman with a monthly salary of no more than QR1,560. He became sick while on duty and was hospitalised (medical file HC 01440602). The treatment cost came to approximately QR25,000.
The company refused to pay for his treatment claiming, according to its official, that there are more than 30,000 workers and if they have to pay for treating each of them, they will turn into a charitable organisation.
The company in question asserts that it pays for injuries while on the job.
Out of courtesy, another Qatari company offered to pay half the treatment of the sick foreman provided that his company pays the other half.
Therefore, the company that proposed the offer fulfilled its side of the deal, but unfortunately, the hospitalised employee’s company is still debating whether to pay or not.
The question addressed to government agencies concerned is: Isn’t there health insurance for local and foreign workers and employees that companies are required to have and pay for?
Some companies committed acts in violation of human rights that have adverse effects on the reputation of our country. Therefore, the competent authorities in the Ministry of Labour should make sure that companies comply with health insurance practices toward their workers.
Finally, we are all responsible to maintain the reputation of our state and its proper appearance in front of the world, especially as we are facing a major media smearing campaign using foreign labour as proof.
