Qatar to end "Kafala"; No abuse on Immigrants

The International Labor Organization closed a formal complaint procedure and prompted its Employers' Group to hail "a clear case of progress." after Qatar has pledged to protect the rights of migrant workers.

The decision to end "'kafala' sponsorship system." was praised by ILO. Qatar commited "to ensuring fundamental principles and rights at work for all workers and the resulting breakthrough to end the 'kafala' sponsorship system."

Under "kafala" the workers are binded to their employers, they are not allowed to change the job, will have to work even if unpaid, their passports will be taken and will be forced to stay in country.

The "far-reaching reforms" Qatar has promised to implement include "allowing workers freedom to leave the country and change jobs without their employer's permission and establishing a minimum wage without discrimination and a fund to guarantee late wages," was reported by a news agency

This decision of Qatar is really important for India as about 6,000,000 immigrants work in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and United Arab Emirates.