Doha: The representative of the Ministry of Labour (MoL) to the permanent delegation in the International Labour Organization’s Fair Recruitment Initiative (FRI) Mahmoud Abdullah Al Siddiqi has participated in a workshop, which focuses on ‘Inspection and Fair Recruitment’, since Qatar is a member state.
In his speech, Al Siddiqi noted that the State of Qatar has a series of legislation and laws that support and promote fair recruitment in the country, noting that the legislation prohibited charging workers any recruitment fees, expenses or costs, in line with international labour standards such as the general principles of the International Labour Organization and the operational guidelines for fair recruitment.
He highlighted the strict measures taken by MoL against recruitment offices that do not comply with the legislation regulating the labour market, especially offices that charge fees from expatriate workers, provide false documents or information, or violate the terms of the contract with the employer.
Al Siddiqi indicated that MoL has allocated inspection teams to ensure that recruitment offices comply with the regulations and instructions issued, as violations of the law result in cancelling the permits of the violating agencies, explaining that the ministry has worked to strengthen the licensing and monitoring system in cooperation with ILO project office in Doha.
He explained that the ministry will work on evaluating recruitment procedures and the mechanisms used to license, monitor and enforce private recruitment offices in line with international labour standards, noting that all labour inspectors and employees of the Labour Relations Department underwent a training course on forced labour and human trafficking.
ILO Fair Recruitment Initiative’s Advisory Committee guides FRI’s activities, identifies priority issues in line with ILO’s 2020-2025 strategy, monitors the implementation of the initiative, discusses progress towards specific goals and provides guidance strategy and suggest alternative measures to overcome challenges.
The committee will also provide the necessary guidance for the establishment of a ‘knowledge centre’ under ILO, propose ideas and projects to promote discussion of key issues and hold periodic meetings as necessary.
