Protecting domestic workers' rights aligns with Qatar's constitutional principles, affirms NHRC vice-chairman
Ashraf Siddiqui
Doha
Safeguarding the rights of domestic workers aligns with Qatar's constitutional principles of justice, equality, and dignity, Vice-Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari has reiterated.
He was speaking at a high-level discussion and roundtable organised by the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to mark International Domestic Workers' Day under the theme 'Advancing Access to Justice for Domestic Workers: Enhancing Legal Support and Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms'.
The event brought together representatives from the ministries of Labour and Interior, legal and human rights experts, and civil society advocates. It served as a platform to assess progress, address challenges, and strengthen mechanisms for protecting the rights of domestic workers.
Dr Al Kuwari emphasised the significance of the occasion in raising awareness and reinforcing human rights commitments. He noted that domestic workers—numbering over 168,000 and comprising 8.39 percent of Qatar's non-Qatari workforce—play an essential role in the nation's economic and social fabric.
He highlighted Qatar's advancements, including the 2017 Domestic Workers Law, while stressing the importance of pre-departure education and awareness for workers in their home countries.
He also praised Qatar's visa centres abroad and called for expanding them to more labour-sending nations.
Talking exclusively to Qatar Tribune on the sidelines of the event, Dr Al Kuwairi said the event holds significant importance in promoting the rights and well-being of domestic workers in Qatar.
As integral members of many Qatari households, domestic workers receive vital services and support, and this event serves as a platform for open dialogue, he said.
He added that the event features technical papers and discussions addressing challenges faced by domestic workers, including long working hours and limited access to grievance reporting mechanisms due to the private nature of household employment.
He said that participants, including representatives from the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Interior, and international organisations such as the ILO and IOM, are engaging face-to-face with workers to understand their concerns and suggestions.
He added that translated legislation handbooks, now available in 11 languages, are being distributed to help workers understand their rights and duties, stressing that the initiative reflects ongoing labour reforms and highlights Qatar's efforts to ensure accessibility, transparency, and inclusivity in protecting domestic workers' rights.
Roula Hamati, representing the IOM in Qatar, described the event as the first joint initiative between IOM and NHRC. She commended the country's progress, particularly labour reforms introduced since 2020, such as changes to employer transfer rights, freedom of movement, and the minimum wage.
While these have significantly improved conditions for many, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including language barriers, limited access to legal recourse, and complex legal procedures.
Three themed sessions enriched the event. The first explored legal and institutional frameworks with contributions from NHRC's Nasser Marzouq Sultan Al Marri, Captain Mohammed Nasser Al Jaber of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Lena Moller from Qatar University, and Margaret Kabue from Kenya. Discussions addressed rights enforcement, access to legal aid, and international best practices.
The second session focused on accountability and coordination to improve legal support, while the final session synthesised key outcomes and affirmed stakeholders' commitments to actionable next steps.
Al Marri detailed NHRC's role in ensuring justice through strategic initiatives guided by the Paris Principles and the NHRC's 2024–2030 plan.
He noted that NHRC handled 1,853 complaints in 2024, including many from domestic workers with services including multilingual hotlines, field monitoring, legal representation, and financial assistance for vulnerable individuals.
Captain Al Jaber highlighted the humanitarian nature of domestic work and outlined laws ensuring worker protections, such as Law No. 15 of 2017 and Law No. 21 of 2015, adding that these prohibit practices like passport confiscation, regulate residency procedures, and support voluntary return in fair conditions.
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