28/06/2015
DOHA: The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs blacklisted 807 companies for violation of labour laws in the first half of this year. The ministry has so far banned 3,913 companies -- around five percent of the total number of companies registered in Qatar.
The blacklisted companies are barred from recruiting new workers.
Mohamed Al Meer, Director of the Work Relation Department at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, told Al Sharq that the banned companies cannot bid for government tenders or apply for warehouses.
Blacklisting of companies does not impact the future prospects of their workers; the ban is aimed at securing the rights of the workers, Al Meer said.
There are about 45,000 companies registered in Qatar, and bans can be imposed for reasons other than violation of labour laws. Companies are banned if they operate without opening an office. The bans are lifted if the companies rectify their mistakes.
Al Meer said ongoing reforms in labour laws were having a positive impact on the condition of workers. Reforms related to salary payment and accommodation for labourers were having a significant impact, he said.
The ministry has found that most companies are adapting to the reforms and have opened bank accounts for payment of salaries to their workers.
A separate section has been opened at the ministry to implement the Wage Protection System (WPS), and training is being given to officials.
The WPS is being implemented in association with Qatar Central Bank and other banks operating in Qatar.
The new law makes it mandatory for companies to transfer the wages of workers to their bank accounts. This will help the authorities identify erring companies and also enable them to know whether the workers are in the country.
The WPS is expected to be launched on August 18. Many companies have already started transferring salaries to their workers' bank accounts.
© The Peninsula 2015
