Qatar 'dismantles' kafala employment system
Doha: New labour rules in the energy-rich nation of Qatar effectively dismantles the country's long-criticised kafala employment system, a UN labour body said Sunday.
The International Labor Organization said as of now, migrant workers can change jobs before the end of their contracts without obtaining the permission of their current employers.
Qatar also has adopted a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals (USD 275) for workers, which will take affect some six months after the law is published in the country's official gazette, the ILO said. The minimum wage rule requires employers to pay allowances for housing and food as well if they don't provide those for their workers.
Qatar, whose citizens enjoy one of the world's highest per-capita incomes due to its natural gas reserves, partially ended the kafala system in 2018. That system ties workers to their employers, who had say over whether they could leave their jobs or even the country.
Qatar is being transformed by a building boom fuelled by its vast oil and natural gas wealth. Like other energy-rich Gulf nations with relatively small local populations, Qatar relies on well over a million guest workers, many of them drawn from South Asian nations including India and Nepal. Rights activists long have criticized the kafala system as allowing abuses of those foreign workers.
This comes as Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Arabian Peninsula nation. Having the winning bid for the soccer tournament brought renewed attention to labourers' rights in Qatar.
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Amit Shah hails Yediyurappa as leader who created a new path
Chitradurga: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the five decades of public life and political struggle of former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa serve as an inspiration for the younger generation.
Speaking at the ‘BSY Abhimanotsava’ held to honour Yediyurappa, Shah lauded his journey from a humble background to becoming one of Karnataka’s most influential political leaders.
During the event, Shah released two books titled ‘Kendavare-Kamala Aralida Kathe’ and ‘Sadana Shikari-Yediyurappanavara Gudugina Nudigalu’.
Shah said there are leaders who simply walk on existing roads and leaders who create new paths for others to follow, and described Yediyurappa as a leader who has shown a new direction.
“He came from an ordinary family. His willpower, the values of the Sangh and his patriotism guided him throughout his life,” Shah said.
He recalled that Yediyurappa travelled to villages on a bicycle when buses were unavailable and worked tirelessly to strengthen the BJP at the grassroots level.
Shah said Yediyurappa had walked thousands of kilometres and led several struggles in support of farmers, which earned him the reputation of being a farmer leader. He added that Yediyurappa had even undergone imprisonment during these movements.
Referring to political developments in West Bengal, Shah said the BJP Chief Minister took oath there on the same day that Karnataka was celebrating Yediyurappa’s 50 years in public life. He described it as the beginning of a new chapter in the land associated with Swami Vivekananda and Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
At the programme, former minister C. T. Ravi presented details of Yediyurappa’s 50 years of public service. Yediyurappa was felicitated at the event.
Also present were BJP national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh, several dignitaries and seers.
