ILO and Qatar sign new 4-year programme to advance labour reforms

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DOHA (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Qatar signed an agreement to extend their technical cooperation programme for another four years. 

The agreement was signed by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Qatar’s Minister of Labour, HE Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri at the Headquarters of the ILO in Geneva. 

The new phase of the programme (2024-2028) will focus on deepening the efforts of the labour reforms adopted in recent years by further strengthening key labour market institutions. These include the bodies responsible for the effective implementation of the reforms related to labour mobility, wages, workers’ voice and representation, and occupational safety and health. The programme will also support the adoption of policies in response to the changing dynamics in Qatar’s labour market, such as more focus on skills and lifelong learning to move towards a more knowledge-based economy; exploring different visa options; and introducing new work arrangements and new forms of work organization, such as teleworking. 

A number of these policies relate to the type of workforce that Qatar needs, and include, among other priorities, increasing the number of women in the workforce, the proportion of skilled migrant workers, and enhancing the participation of Qatari nationals in the private sector, through training and upskilling, to increase their competitiveness in the labour market.

Major reforms were adopted in recent years, and our focus remains ensuring the effective implementation of these laws and policies. That's why we welcome the commitment from the Government of Qatar to continue our cooperation on these issues, and in preparing the workforce for the future of work."

Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General

Achieving these goals requires effective labour market institutions to implement the labour laws and policies, to monitor working conditions and promote safe and healthy workplaces, to resolve disputes in a fair and timely manner, to promote social dialogue, and more. 

“The State of Qatar has shown its commitment to improving the environment for workers and employers, and to building a competent and committed workforce, in line with the National Vision 2030,” said Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Minister of Labour of Qatar, following the signing of the agreement. 

The Minister also expressed his satisfaction with the extension of the technical cooperation programme between the State of Qatar and the ILO for a third phase, and said that the new agreement aims to build on the tangible progress that was achieved through this fruitful partnership in the past. 

The Minister underscored that the workforce is at the core of Qatar’s development plans, noting that this recognition stems from its pivotal role in advancing the nation and its vital contribution to the economy, through reinforcing the foundations of the private sector and increasing the contribution of non-hydro-carbon industries. 

The new phase of the programme will see closer engagement on a range of issues with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as the representative body for employers in the country. 

“The IOE welcomes the next phase of the technical programme between the ILO and Qatar, and its emphasis on working with the private sector. We believe the focus of this initiative on fostering targeted policies and institution-building will strengthen the business environment, helping local companies thrive in today’s competitive international market,” commented Roberto Suárez Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

Conversations are ongoing between the Government, ITUC and several Global Union Federations concerning the modalities of their continued cooperation. 

“The extension of the technical cooperation programme with the ILO is an important next step to implement and consolidate the labour reforms in Qatar. The ITUC and several Global Union Federations are discussing with the Government how to continue cooperation, including to expand ongoing work on the joint committees and the creation of sectoral social dialogue bodies, to make Qatar a better place for all workers”, said Luc Triangle, ITUC General Secretary. 

Since 2018, the ILO has been working with Qatar’s Ministry of Labour to support the implementation of a comprehensive labour reform agenda. Over the past six years, Qatar has introduced legislation on labour mobility, minimum wage, safety and health, and workers’ voice and representation. In addition, improvements have been made on labour administration systems and on labour relations. 

For interview requests, please contact Marco Minocri, Communication Officer, ILO Project Office for the State of Qatar (minocri@ilo.org).
 

Funding of the programme

The Agreement has a budget of USD 19m covering a period of 4 years (2024-2028). The funding modality is a “Direct/Domestic Trust Fund” (DTF), which refers to the cooperation with Member States who entrust the ILO with financial resources to deliver technical assistance in their own territory, over and above the regular support that the ILO can provide from its core budget.