Qatar has made noteworthy strides in the way of protecting the rights of its workers.

The efforts made by the country have garnered the appreciation of international labor bodies that recognize Qatar for its commitment to workers’ welfare.

To further magnify its efforts in this area, the country has launched several programs.

Earlier in July, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) introduced the ‘Bedar’ initiative to enhance communication with workers in the northern areas of Qatar.

Yesterday, the Government of Qatar’s Communication Office (GCO) reaffirmed in a statement that Qatar places immense importance on safeguarding the rights of its guest workers and on ensuring that all companies respect these rights and abide by Qatar’s labor laws.

Statement by the Government Communications Office regarding the results of the investigation into the peaceful strike by workers in the Al Shahaniya area.https://t.co/Po5x6S8tsH

— مكتب الاتصال الحكومي (@GCOQatar) August 17, 2019

“The Government of Qatar is committed to improving the Wage Protection System to ensure that workers' wages are paid on time and that wage arrears are systematically settled,” the statement added.

According to the GCO statement, the salaries of all employees, who on August 4 staged a peaceful protest in the Shahaniyah area demanding their wages of three months, have been paid in full within two days of the matter coming to the notice of the authorities.

An investigation was launched immediately after the guest workers "conducted a peaceful strike, in response to the non-payment of salaries by their employers in May, June and July 2019,” the GCO stated.

The authorized signatories of the two companies in question were arrested after the investigation was completed, according to the statement, which adds that it was found that salaries had been delayed following a period of negative cash flow at both companies, caused by non-payments elsewhere in the supply chain.

"By August 6, 2019, after consultation with all stakeholders, the outstanding salaries of all workers were paid in full through the Wage Protection System (WPS)," the GCO said.

The statement further stressed, “Workers also have the right to change their employer due to the violation of Qatar's labor laws. The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs (MADLSA) is coordinating with all workers who choose to exercise this legal right."

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Cover Image Credit: Al Jazeera