ID :
331588
Tue, 06/10/2014 - 21:58
Auther :

Expert Hails Success Story of Workers Welfare Standards on New Al Wakrah Stadium

Doha, June 10 (QNA) - The first contractor to work with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy on the proposed Host Venue at Al Wakrah Stadium has been a success story so far from a workers welfare perspective, according to a leading expert who has been following developments in the country for the past seven years. Silvia Pessoa, an associate teaching professor of English and Sociolinguistics at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, who has tracked labor issues here since 2007 and is the co-author of the quantitative study on workers entitled A portrait of low-income migrants in contemporary Qatar, said the positive reception of the Workers Welfare Standards is an encouraging sign: This success story speaks of Qatars commitment to ensure the rights of migrant workers building the infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The increase in the productivity of the workforce on this project shows that this is a win-win situation for all involved: when workers are satisfied with their working and living conditions, they are likely to be more committed to their jobs, which increases their productivity and benefits the company. Amana, the early works contractor at the new Al Wakrah Stadium, the first proposed Host Venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar , has reported that the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacys Workers Welfare Standards (WWS) have helped create living conditions that improve the overall well-being of its workers, leading to better quality work and greater productivity on the worksite. Farah Al Muftah, Chairwoman of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacys Workers Welfare Committee, said: As we look back at the early works phase of the Supreme Committees first project, we are thrilled to see that the standards, combined with Amanas hard work on the ground, have produced very real benefits for both the company and the workers. These benefits are a result, in part, of the open, collaborative relationship the SC has had with the contractor who has worked closely with us to identify and take advantage of opportunities to improve worker welfare. The Workers Welfare Standards which are aligned with Qatari Labour Law and international best practice include specific requirements for operating and maintaining employer-provided worker housing. The standards require contractors to provide free catering and laundry services as well as a deep cleaning program and wireless internet. Contractors that have successfully implemented these standards claim that one benefit of the accommodation guidelines is that workers have fewer responsibilities after work, allowing for more free time to sleep, exercise or communicate with family back home. Mohamad Hamad, Project Manager for Amana, said: We have enjoyed a positive relationship with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, not only in terms of the successful and safe execution of our early works contract, but also because of the benefits which we have seen for our workforce as a result of key provisions in their standards. When employees have less to do in terms of cooking and housekeeping after work, they are less stressed and have more time to themselves. Experience shows us that employees who are content outside of work are more motivated and do better quality work when they are on the job. Amana also participated in the 2014 Workers Cup football tournament, organised for the second year running by Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in conjunction with the Qatar Stars League, and embarked on a spectacular run to the semi-finals before being edged 5-4 in a thrilling penalty encounter by eventual champions Tanzifco Co WLL. They took third place with a 1-0 victory over Gulf Contracting on the final day at Aspire Dome. We allocated training sessions to the team participating in the 2014 Workers Cup, and the support within the company has been overwhelming. Overall it has been a great honour to start the works where in just a few years a proposed FIFA World Cup Host Venue will stand, added Jamal Younis, Operations Manager for Amana. The 40,000-seater new Al Wakrah Stadium, future home of Al Wakrah Sports Club, was the first of the FIFA World Cup Qatar proposed Host Venues to be revealed. The stadium will be surrounded by an approximately 560,000 m2 (60-hectare) legacy precinct with a new sports centre and community hub. The precinct will include a range of community facilities, including a park, mosque, school, hotel, wedding hall, vocational training centre and retail outlets. Following the tournament, the stadiums capacity will be reduced to 20,000 with the extra modular seats removed, re-configured and donated to countries in need of sporting infrastructure in consultation with FIFA and the continental football confederations. With the rigorous implementation of the Workers Welfare Standards at all stages of construction, the new Al Wakrah Stadium will also contribute to a significant legacy

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