Human Rights Watch push for changes in sponsorship system
The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has appreciated the steps being taken by Qatar to amend its sponsorship law but urged the Qatari leadership to disclose details of the proposed reforms and set a time frame for their implementation.
The human rights watchdog hoped that the reforms would start with some basic things like changes in the exit permit system.
“We hope Qatar would take the lead for reforms…. We are optimistic because of our working relationship. We hope ultimately the reform is going to be visible. Some basic reforms will lay the foundation for substantial reforms,” HRW’s Middle East Consultant Nicholas McGheehan told The Peninsula yesterday.
McGheehan is part of a three- member delegation from HRW which is on a four-day visit here to meet Qatari officials and discuss issues related to migrant workers. This is the third visit of an HRW delegation to Qatar.
McGheehan argued that a change in sponsorship and exit permit system would ultimately benefit Qatar although it cannot be done overnight. “We can’t say abolish Kafala (sponsorship) system overnight, it’s impossible. It’s a deeply rooted system. What we need is the state to take a step forward.”
He also called for setting a time frame for the proposed reforms.
“We would like to see a time frame for what ever reforms are put in place. We understand the reform will be an incremental process. We want things to move step by step, start with the easy things, like the exit permit system, which is doable, practical. And there is no reason why it would impact the commercial community,” said McGheehan.
“What we always press is for a specific reform. We need to know how they (Qatar) are going to reform,” he added. He appreciated Qatar’s ‘openness’ for dialogue and said HRW expects the country to move forward in making positive changes in the Kafala system.
“If there is abuse (against migrant workers) there should be a simple, quick mechanism that allows a migrant worker to change the employer. That will protect the worker, and will oblige the employers to treat their workers (with fairness). If Qatar can host the World Cup, Qatar can protect workers’ rights,” he said.
Source | Photo by Mohammed Noorudeen
better they not to abolish exit permit system as it gives control over employees. somewhat employer must have control on expatriates in order to avoid fraud and cheating. but sponsorship system needs to be changed. when we resign or terminated by employer if we dont have N.O.C we cannot find job till our employer waive his blocking. so here our basic right is declined. we will become jobless because of this 2 years block.
This is not gonna happen Guys.. If they abolish Exit Permit, you will see thousands of residents leaving Qatar. Its just a News. Read and Forget it.
Salam...bisimillahi.....i wil be so much glad if they can eradicate this sponsor of a thing cos someone of like me now is sock with a company while the company is keeping me as a slave no regular food likewise not the amount i was told i wil be payed they are paying i pay for my visa and ticket yet i got here they told me its company visa inshort i need assist from this organization to free me from this bound cos if i should with them myself they told me they will deport.which i wonna collect my visa and ticket money back from the company like pay me the amount they told me they wil pay me as my salary.....pls i need help
They already have the World Cup 2022. Where will the motivation to make any changes come from?
Folks don't waste your time on this subject, nothing is going to change in the prevailing things, in fact some more stringent regulations may come in to play.... we have been listing this since many years.....
i hope the above conversations reach out to human rights committe sitting in new york
there is nothing any change in any system here they have lots of money they use to silent any person even super power with there money they already beat USA in world cup from there unlimited money
Politicians's ways are strange & laughable . Why are the players plus their wives & GFs themselves are too cold towards consruction workers till today ?
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This might not happen in the near future, and if it happens, it will not be done as thousands of employees wish it to be. The idea is that this Kafala System is major the Gulf Economic stability. Do not be very hopeful about this, but be optimistic that it might be reformed somehow, but to be cancelled and deleted, that is IMPOSSIBLE.
If there is a change, it should be from within. A system should be implemented that would force employers to treat the employees in a humane manner and stop them from robbing the rights of employees. Human Rights people sitting comfortably in New York cannot understand the issues of employees in this region.
Realy if they change the system of kafala that will help the country as well as expats to some kind of standard life . As I was working in qatar n resign from my company a year ago n still I can't get a job in other companies as my previous employer refuse to give me NOC.so a change need to be there to finish kafala system and exit permit system .
It should implement as soon as possible. There are number of problems which r facing by workers. Most of the workers forced by their problems and they sign time by time on blank papers. They can't refuse as they need job. Our company recently took sign from all employees that every employee got benefit uptill 31-12-2013. We are hopeless by employer's behave and attitude in Qatar.
They also need to allow wives to sponsor husbands. Also, contracts need to be stuck to. They put alot of crap in the contracts and dont stick to it. Plus they fire ppl too easily. It gives Qatar a bad name.
This cannot come soon enough. A friend of mine's employ completely disregards the contract when it suits them, but refuses to give an exit visa and want's charge for having renewed their RP and not finished