A picture taken on November 16, 2014 shows migrant workers at a construction site in Doha. AFP Photo
A picture taken on November 16, 2014 shows migrant workers at a construction site in Doha. AFP Photo
A picture taken on November 16, 2014 shows migrant workers at a construction site in Doha. AFP Photo
A picture taken on November 16, 2014 shows migrant workers at a construction site in Doha. AFP Photo

Qatar to introduce major pay reform for migrant workers


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DOHA // Qatar has said it will introduce a major labour law reform to ensure thousands of migrant workers building venues for the 2022 World Cup are paid on time, after complaints by rights groups.

These changes, approved by Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will see workers get paid at least once a month and in some cases every two weeks.

Thursday’s announcement comes before the international spotlight looks to fall on Qatar again as Fifa officials visit Doha early next week to finalise a date for the tournament.

Under the proposal, wages will be paid through direct bank transfers which should – in theory – make it easier to track employers who do not comply with the new law.

It is not yet clear when the reforms will be introduced but employers will have six months to implement them.

If they do not, they could face up to one month in prison as well as a fine of up to 6,000 Qatari Riyals (Dh 6,052).

Last November, Amnesty International accused the government of not doing enough on the issue of non-payment.

And earlier this year, lack of progress on the issue was highlighted again – this time by Human Rights Watch.

The organisation’s Qatar researcher, Nicholas McGeehan gave a cautious welcome to the changes announced in Doha.

“Of course it’s good,” said Mr McGeehan. “It is a positive step as long as it is properly enforced.”

He said the reform would also impact on a “very substantial number of workers” across the Qatari economy, not just those in construction.

A 2013 academic study, “A Portrait of Low-Income Migrants in Contemporary Qatar”, found that 21 per cent of migrant workers in Qatar “received their salary on time only sometimes, rarely, or never”.

However, there was some disappointment that the changes announced on Thursday did not address the country’s controversial “kafala” sponsorship system, which rights groups and the FIFPro global football union have urged Qatar to abolish.

The kafala law enables employers to prevent foreign workers from leaving the country or changing jobs.

In November, Qatar's labour and social affairs ministry said the law would be replaced early next year by legislation "currently under review", but did not provide further details.

* Agence France-Presse

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
West Indies v England ODI series:

West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.

Fixtures:

1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown

2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown

3rd ODI - February 25, St George's

4th ODI - February 27, St George's

5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet

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Director: Saeed Roustaee

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Director: Alfonso Cuaron 

Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville 

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BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Friday (UAE kick-off times)

Borussia Dortmund v Paderborn (11.30pm)

Saturday 

Bayer Leverkusen v SC Freiburg (6.30pm)

Werder Bremen v Schalke (6.30pm)

Union Berlin v Borussia Monchengladbach (6.30pm)

Eintracht Frankfurt v Wolfsburg (6.30pm)

Fortuna Dusseldof v  Bayern Munich (6.30pm)

RB Leipzig v Cologne (9.30pm)

Sunday

Augsburg v Hertha Berlin (6.30pm)

Hoffenheim v Mainz (9pm)