Qatar's Administrative Development Ministry Reviews Social Protection Policies against Impact of COVID-19

Doha, April 23 (QNA) - The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs participated on Wednesday in the open discussion session of senior officials in the Arab countries of the West Asia region organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) via the Internet in partnership with the International Labor Organization on policies to respond to the economic and social impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the countries of West Asia (Social Protection). During the session, Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Affairs at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Mohamed Hassan Al Obaidli and the Ministry's representative in the permanent mission in Geneva Mahmoud Abdullah Al Siddiqi reviewed the policies and procedures that the State of Qatar has undertaken since the emergence of COVID-19 pandemic in the world, noting that the competent authorities in the country have taken the necessary precautions to protect workers and put a clear policy to ensure an urgent response and the effective implementation of these measures. The Ministry affirmed its keenness to play its role in applying the labor law, caring for workers, and providing occupational safety and health requirements within the workplaces and workers housing. It pointed out that the target groups are expatriate workers who make up the majority of the population of Qatar and more than 85 percent of its workforce, including domestic workers, especially women, in addition to the employers who have a social responsibility in dealing with this epidemic. The meeting reviewed the social protection policy adopted by the State of Qatar by taking a set of measures, the most important of which was the adoption of a package of financial incentives to help the private sector to ensure the sustainability of employment, where the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management chaired by HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani announced the allocation of QR75 billion as part of a package of financial incentives to help the private sector. The Cabinet also decided to reduce the number of employees in government agencies and workers located in workplaces in the private sector to 20 percent of the total number of employees and workers, to ensure the functioning and regularity of public facilities and the completion of necessary activities, while 80 percent of employees and workers start their work remotely from their homes or upon request, according to conditions. The Ministry indicated that the contractual relationship between employers and workers was organized during the crisis and the provision of subsidies (loans) to affected companies amounting to QR3 billion to cover workers' wages and rents, as well as raising awareness and providing free health care to all workers without discrimination, in addition to establishing partnerships with civil society to provide care and prevention for all members of society. The Ministry pointed out that "the policy of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs regarding the measures that companies must take in the workplace and housing to protect workers" has been adopted, stressing the importance of the role of labor committees in educating workers about the dangers of COVID-19. The Ministry explained that the committees include representatives of the company's management and elected representatives of workers and hold periodic meetings to discuss matters related to labor affairs within the facility, pointing out that all workers, including domestic workers, can continue to transfer funds to their families in the countries of origin by facilitated means (via their smartphones). The Ministry added that urgent labor cases and requests are followed up remotely in cooperation with the Supreme Judicial Council to hold sessions of the Labor Disputes Resolution Committee to decide urgent labor cases and requests, using video conferencing technology. (QNA)