Int'l Labor Organization opens office in Qatar

DOHA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Labor Organization (ILO) opened an office in Qatari capital Doha to implement technical expertise and directives despite siege, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported on Sunday.

The ILO office will oversee Qatar's wholesale labor reform, the report said, adding that it is part of an agreement signed last October with the United Nations agency.

"Qatar welcomes the opening of this office ... it is another step for Qatar to apply a system that simulates the best global systems," said Qatar's Minister of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi.

The minister stressed Qatar's efforts to secure a decent life and work for expatriate labor, and work on achieving a comprehensive system for employers around Qatar.

The ILO would assist Qatar in its transition to adopt a modern work system that meets the best standards all over the world, he added.

Deputy Director-General of the ILO Moussa Oumarou praised Qatar's commitment to protecting the rights of workers, referring to the opening of the office.

In October 2017, Doha and the ILO signed a three-year program of technical cooperation on labor issues, including improving payment of wages, labor inspection, occupational safety, health, and a grievance procedure for workers.

Qatar is under intense international pressure and scrutiny to protect the rights of workers, especially after it won the bid to host the World Cup in 2022.

Qatar is currently facing a regional political pressure after Saudi-led Arab quartet severed diplomatic and transportation ties with Doha last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism, charges denied by Doha. Enditem