Doha, Nov. 18, (dpa/GNA) – Qatar has introduced reforms to improve the situation of migrant workers, although some are yet to be “fully implemented and enforced,” Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
Qatar has made progress to protect migrant workers’ rights, including reforms announced this year to facilitate freedom of movement and introduce a new minimum wage.
However, Amnesty said Qatar must effectively implement the reform process and put an end to impunity for abusive employers.
“We welcome the reforms in principle. If they were implemented correctly, many problematic aspects would be eliminated. However, implementation is flawed, and it is only half-hearted,” said Regina Spoettl, Gulf expert at Amnesty in Germany.
Migrants often face delayed or unpaid wages; have to work excessively long hours; and struggle to access justice.
The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated workers’ vulnerabilities, the group said. For instance, restrictions on movement have made it difficult for workers to seek treatment if sick.
As the 2022 World Cup host, Qatar has been repeatedly criticized for the treatment of migrant workers. In return, it said it has introduced several measures to protect workers, including removing the kafala system – which links workers’ legal status to their employers – and allowing workers to change jobs without their previous employers’ approval.
“Without the World Cup, nothing would probably have changed. That is how something has happened. The country is on the right track, even if there is still a lot to be done,” Spoettl added.
Amnesty said Qatar still needs to make sure some kafala-linked practices are no longer taking place, including the confiscation of workers’ passports.
GNA