qatar is ending sponsor system
Qatari Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani (C) at a recent meeting in Libya. Photograph: AFP
DOHA - Qatar is considering ending the oft-criticised sponsorship system, under which employers sponsor foreign workers and have a great deal of control over them, the prime minister said on Thursday.
"Changes have been made to the sponsorship system in Qatar," and the council of ministers is "seriously studying" abolishing the system, Sheikh Hamad told reporters.
"We are studying the issue very carefully to preserve the rights of citizens and foreign workers," he added.
Sponsorship systems for foreign workers exist in most Gulf countries, which employ millions of foreigners, especially from Asia. The system has been strongly criticised by rights groups and likened to modern-day slavery.
In some cases, employers hold workers' passports and can deny them permission to change jobs.
Bahrain abolished the system in 2009, and Kuwait reportedly plans to do so by February.
Sheikh Hamad also said on Thursday that Qatar was not yet ready to hold its first partial parliamentary elections, which have been promised for several years.
"The legislative elections will be held one day... We have fallen behind in completing various laws, of which three quarters have been adopted," he said.
The principle of a partly elected parliament was enshrined in the Gulf state's constitution which came into force in 2005.
Two-thirds of the 45 members of the Majlis al-Shura (consultative assembly) would be selected by universal suffrage, with the other 15 appointed by the emir, according to an electoral law adopted in 2008.
well treysdad let's hope for the best right?
malay mo naman di ba?
Let's be optimistic about this. :)
Here's an idea.
All expats must leave after their contract ends allowing new ones to take their place for a fixed period. this would encourage distribution of wealth and keep everyone happy..
This was the same news back in 2006 prior to the Asian Games.
Really important news for every foreigners . Thanks for the news...waiting for more info on this.... :-)
Good day sajjad!:)
This is a very interesting post. May I know on what newspaper did you get this?May I get the link? It would be highly appreciated. Thanks!:)
It's a good move by the way for Qatar to do this. All of us will benefit from it.:)
So what the article is basically says is for now nothing changes. With the win of the 2022 WC bid, the possibility of a change in the current system diminishes even more. Because why on earth would they give freedom to workers to move around to different jobs, when they just created a timeline for themselves to build stadiums, many more hotels, etc for the WC. The entire world is watching, with a lot of it hoping Qatar fails to deliver on its promises, thus moving the bid to another venue. The instability in the workforce caused by people jumping ship would create havoc and I don't see it happening. I disagree with the sponsorship program, but the way it looks FIFA just allowed it to continue for 12 more years here.
Expect the worst and hope for the best!
Yeah vey interesting makes me continue sleeping
LET ALL THOSE SUFFER BAD FROM SPONSOR'S ESCAPE.. I WANT TO HEAR GOOD NEWS FOR ALL..
so wait my dear...they said change the sponsership...but not the terms. so just wait until some news come...hope its good for all of us.
my sponsor is asking a big amount for changing my visa to another company.
if this law come here.
can i cancel my present visa and go to india and come back soon?
or i will have a ban for 2 years?
or i dont need a sponsor to come here and do start a company without any sponsor?
i am not clear about what you said here..