According to National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Chairperson Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah, Qatar has reached a major milestone in bringing full equality in education, health, and employment.
HE al-Attiyah mentioned that Qatari women have occupied the role of judges since 2010 and took up positions in the military, civil aviation, and diplomatic corps. This is in addition to the State’s extensive efforts to protect workers’ rights and its achievement of equality and social justice through the rapid legislative reforms and developments made to the Qatari Labour Law over the past years.
This was brought up in the course of two separate meetings held by HE al-Attiyah in Ottawa, with Deputy Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth Frances McRae and Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s Vice-Chairperson Athanasios Hadjis.
HE al-Attiyah noted that the committee is one of the key national institutions in the region, during her meeting with Hadjis, having been classified as an “A” by the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) since 2010, in accordance with the Paris Principles.
NHRC has formed a permanent working group dedicated to promoting a culture of human rights, in addition to its role in making recommendations to the State regarding its accession to international agreements and reviewing relevant legislation, according to HE al-Attiyah.
She highlighted that Qatar has undertaken significant reforms to protect and promote workers’ rights, stressing the important role of NHRC in providing advisory recommendations to relevant government agencies, receiving worker petitions and helping them to find solutions in co-operation with relevant authorities, as well as raising awareness of workers’ rights through campaigns, training courses, and other awareness-raising activities.
She reviewed key legislative developments in Qatari labour law over the past years, noting that the law regulating the entry and exit of expatriates grants workers the right to transfer to another employer. Employers can lend workers to another employer for a period not exceeding six months, renewable for a similar period. Expatriates can also work part-time for another employer in addition to their original work, after obtaining the employer’s approval according to the law.
She pointed out that the amendment includes exemption from exit permits for all employees of companies and institutions subject to the labour law, granting them the right to leave the country at any time during the validity of their employment contract.
The establishment of the Labour Disputes Settlement Committee has lessened the burden on the courts, improved the right to litigation, and strengthened the protection of workers’ rights according to the Chairperson.
HE al-Attiyah pointed at the release of ”Worker’s Pocket Guide’” in 11 commonly spoken languages among Qatar’s work force as part of the NHRC’s educational and support role.
Hadjis from the Canadian side provided an overview of the tribunal’s independent role, separate from the regular court system, which focuses on cases of racial discrimination.
He also highlighted the tribunal’s broad legal authority, which includes issuing binding decisions and awarding compensation to victims.
During her meeting with McRae, HE al-Attiyah explained significant progress of Qatar toward full gender equality. Women in Qatar have equal access to social security, housing services, and educational opportunities, and benefit from flexible work arrangements, paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and childcare support.
McRae appreciated NHRC’s work and discussed partnership of the committee with the Ministry of Social Development and Family in promoting family protection awareness.
