Friday, March 31, 2017

Qatar blocks migrant workers from returning home...

A law making it easier for migrants to change jobs and leave the oil-rich Persian Gulf state - where many of them have been recruited to build soccer stadiums ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup - came into effect in December.

The Qatari government has defended the reforms to replace the "kafala" sponsorship system, which forces foreign workers to seek their employer's consent to change jobs or leave the country - a measure rights groups say leaves workers open to exploitation.

Trade unionists and activists say migrant workers still require an exit permit from the government - and of the 760 or so permit requests made by migrants, more than a quarter have been denied since the law was passed on Dec. 13 last year.

"Qatar's notorious exit permit system remains in place today," said Sharan Burrow, general secretary of International Trade Union Confederation. "The claim by Qatar to the International Labour Organization (ILO) that the exit permit has been abolished is a lie." Full story...

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