Qatar Labour Department abolished, replaced by 7 new departments
According to an Emiri Decision issued this week in Qatar, the Department of Labour has been abolished as a single department, and has been replaced by seven departments, now being created, to make the operations more efficient and enforce the Labour Law in a more effective manner.
A department, known as the Department of Employment, is being established by the ministry to look into requests from companies seeking recruitment of foreign workers and to approve work and family visas.
The department has been assigned the responsibility of framing procedures and regulations for issuing work permits to foreign workers. Local manpower agencies having tie-ups with their counter-parts abroad, will be monitored by this department, and the department will serve as a mediator to resolve disputes arising between these agencies and local client companies. The department will also have to prepare, maintain and update a database on the country’s workforce.
Another department, called the Labour Relations Department, will be responsible to deal with labour disputes arising between workers and employers (private companies). In case the department is unable to resolve the dispute, the matter will be referred to the court.
The department will also attest job contracts between employers and workers, and help in increasing awareness about the Labour Law among workers and companies by offering periodic consultancy and holding workshops and seminars. The department will also be given the authority to actively mediate between employers and workers, and supervise union elections.
Yet, another department will carry out the inspections. The department will be responsible for conducting regular raids on workplaces, worksites and labour accommodations, to ensure non-violation of labour regulations. The department has also been authorized to issue warnings to defaulting companies or refer them to concerned authorities.
A national workforce department is being established to monitor the job nationalization drive and prepare guidelines and policies to motivate employment of nationals.
The Human Resource Management department will take care of the employees at the Ministry. Two other departments are being created to deal with finance, administration and information technology.
The Deputy Emir and Heir Apparent, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has issued an Emiri decision to restructure various ministries, the Labour Ministry being one among them.
Posted on 30/6/2009