Qatar reassures the safety and rights of Indian labourers
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After winning the bid to host FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar assured the protection of the rights of thousands of Indian labourers working in the Gulf nation. Officials have also committed to promoting the rights of migrant labourers.
The Qatari delegation also appreciated the contribution of the Indian migrant workforce to the socio-economic development and infrastructure building in their country. They were in New Delhi for the seventh Joint working committee meeting between India and Qatar on Labour and Manpower Development.
The country has been witnessing several deaths and allegations of human right violation of labourers. According to reports, hundreds of complaints regarding pending salaries, contract problems, unjustified imprisonment, and repatriation are registered in the Indian embassy every year.
Around 6,750 deaths of south Asian migrants have been reported in Qatar in a decade (2011-2020). According to available data, 2,711 Indian labourers died in Qatar. The Indian embassy report says as many as 10,535 labourers filed complaints between 2016 and 2019 alone.
At the meeting held from May 4 to May 5 in New Delhi, Qatar committed to offering better protection to the migrant labourers.
The Indian delegation was led by Anurag Bhushan, Joint Secretary (OIA-I), Ministry of External Affairs, and the Qatari delegation was led by Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, Ministry of Labour. Discussions related to labour and manpower mobilities were held between the representatives.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the Qatari delegation has reiterated their commitment to the protection and promotion of labour rights. Both nations have agreed to adopt an integrated approach to promote the welfare and well-being of workers.
To streamline recruitment and to enhance co-operation, recruitment portals will be integrated. The Qatari delegation also visited the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Delhi, and held discussions with the representatives of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA).