Safeguarding workers' rights has remained among Qatar's priorities, the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs has underlined on the occasion of the International Workers' Day that falls on May 1 each year.

In a press statement issued yesterday, the Ministry said the 2020 celebration of the day is different from previous years, due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

The Ministry said it continues to focus on the promotion and protection of workers' rights, the provision of a safe work environment, capacity building, training, and awareness, in accordance with Qatar's National Vision based on investment in human capital.

Accordingly, the Ministry has been working together with several local and international partners to identify and implement the most effective ways, modern legislation to care for workers. This has been in line with the highest standards, the Ministry added.

Every year on the 1st of May we celebrate #InternationalWorkersDay , this year differs from before due to the global pandemic outbreak Covid-19.
The Ministry prioritizes protecting worker’s rights & providing a safe work environment
For details: https://t.co/gwFHSe927m @ILOQatar pic.twitter.com/VaBMBYAhfA

— وزارة التنمية والعمل (@ADLSAQa) May 1, 2020

Given the pandemic, the Ministry said it particularly focused on occupational safety and health in the workplace and residences of workers. 

The Ministry has driven efforts to raise awareness of workers about the infectious disease, and ways to prevent and limit its spread. In this regard, the Ministry earlier issued an important health advisory for workers.

The "conscious" campaign was launched by the Ministry that aimed to educate workers and employers about preventive measures in different languages.

Together with a number of embassies and representatives of labor and community groups in Qatar, the Ministry also organized some educational media campaigns to ensure workers' safety amid the crisis.

"The state continues to provide economic support packages in various sectors to reduce the economic effects caused by this crisis to ensure business continuity, the sustainability of employment, the protection of wages, and the development of appropriate solutions to ensure its transfer," the Ministry statement added.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that the Ministry is committed to providing the necessary free health care to workers infected with COVID-19, without any discrimination.

Earlier, the Ministry also released a set of directives for companies in the private sector to follow to protect workers at their homes as well as their workplaces.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Qatar continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.