Qatar will increase the minimum income of migrant workers by 25 percent to 1,000 Qatari rials (230 euros) per month. Also, from now on, workers no longer need to get permission from their employers to change jobs.
In addition, employers must provide accommodation and food for employees. If that does not work, workers must receive a supplement of 800 Qatari rials (184 euros) on top of their monthly salary.
The government of Qatar hopes that the improved regulations will meet some fierce reports criticizing the poor working conditions of migrant workers.
The number of labor migrants traveling to Qatar to work under great promises has increased sharply with the prospect of the World Cup. This also put the spotlight on the often dire circumstances under which people have to work, such as the high temperatures and low wages.
Kafala system makes labor migrants dependent
The main cause of these problems is the so-called kafala system, which is still widely used in the country. Under this system, employees are completely dependent on their employer as a sponsor.
The Qatari economy is largely dependent on workers from abroad; there are more than two million migrant workers in the country, roughly 95 percent of the total labor market.
The United Nations welcomes the improvements that Qatar has pledged. According to the Qatari Ministry of Labor, employers will have six months to comply with the new legislation.
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