Can Wage Protection System alone solve expat employees’ problems?

Can Wage Protection System alone solve expat employees’ problems?

QatarNews
By QatarNews

Introducing the Wage Protection System (WPS) is a commendable step and has turned out to be quite effective when it comes to the payment of salary of the employees on time.

However, Gulf Times reports that many residents are of the opinion that the WPS and the timely payment of salaries cannot solve the problems that the workers face.

Since the system became effective from last month, many companies have begun to follow it and many others are in the process of doing so.

Meanwhile, workers of small and medium private companies say that although salaries will be paid on time henceforth, they aren’t hopeful about the settlement of arrears that even run into months.

One of them argued, “Under the WPS, these firms have to pay salaries on time now. But what about the arrears - how can these companies be compelled to pay the salaries that were due to employees before the WPS came into effect?”

Another worker who didn’t receive any pay for three months before his employer joined the WPS said, “Issues such as arrears are still to be settled.”

Most employees are hesitant to lodge a complaint about this for fear of inviting the wrath of their employers.

 Recently, a youth told Gulf Times that since his employer, a hotel group, has not paid salaries for the past five months, he has stopped working for the firm and is now exploring the possibility of lodging a complaint with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA). 

The hotel’s operators, it is understood, have allegedly not paid their staff for several months and many workers are apparently planning to leave the company.

However, employees also feel that even if they leave, the company will bring new recruits in their place and the cycle will continue unless stringent action is taken against them. “These companies stand to gain through such practices,” said a worker.

While calling upon the authorities to rein in such companies, workers have sought the MoLSA’s intervention to monitor their activities and find effective solutions to issues such as non-payment for months as well as dishonouring of contracts.

Any thoughts? Comment below.

(Cover image courtesy: Gulf Times)

By samun• 14 Dec 2015 11:42
Rating: 4/5
samun

What about employers hiring workers on Temporary work visa valid upto 3 or 6 months, do WPS applicable under such situation incase of non payment to these worker and do any law protect them as they don't have resident permit .

By bitstoms• 14 Dec 2015 15:40
Rating: 2/5
bitstoms

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have implemented the WPS system in 2009, within months the process completed successfully. Qatar just started only..!!??

The procedure for opening a salary account is 10 mnts job in Saudi Arabia, where we need days for the same in Qatar. I don't think any explanation will reason the issue.

By bitstoms• 14 Dec 2015 15:40
bitstoms

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have implemented the WPS system in 2009, within months the process completed successfully. Qatar just started only..!!??

The procedure for opening a salary account is 10 mnts job in Saudi Arabia, where we need days for the same in Qatar. I don't think any explanation will reason the issue.

By bitstoms• 14 Dec 2015 15:40
bitstoms

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have implemented the WPS system in 2009, within months the process completed successfully. Qatar just started only..!!??

The procedure for opening a salary account is 10 mnts job in Saudi Arabia, where we need days for the same in Qatar. I don't think any explanation will reason the issue.

By bitstoms• 14 Dec 2015 15:40
bitstoms

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have implemented the WPS system in 2009, within months the process completed successfully. Qatar just started only..!!??

The procedure for opening a salary account is 10 mnts job in Saudi Arabia, where we need days for the same in Qatar. I don't think any explanation will reason the issue.

By bitstoms• 14 Dec 2015 15:40
bitstoms

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they have implemented the WPS system in 2009, within months the process completed successfully. Qatar just started only..!!??

The procedure for opening a salary account is 10 mnts job in Saudi Arabia, where we need days for the same in Qatar. I don't think any explanation will reason the issue.

By britexpat• 14 Dec 2015 15:52
britexpat

The technology is there. The processes are there. What is lacking is will power and commitment

By r_ahmed• 15 Dec 2015 12:07
r_ahmed

We also face problem of transferring salary to our staff. later on we able to manage it. now its ok going smooth. anyone need can contact me rizon2982@yahoo.com

By Mark_nas• 15 Dec 2015 12:06
Mark_nas

Hi All,

Wage Protection System (WPS) "Good Concept"...

What is the Vision of WPS?

What is the standard or expected monthly salaries paid timeline as per WPS policy?

Was the concept and policy communicated to all companies or employers at least one month before the implimentation?

If yes, What is the present compliance level?

Based on the present WPS policy companies compliance level, does the Ministry see this concept or vision being successful and actually meeting the need of employees?

Why does the ministry (WPS) have to also delay salaries disbursement by another 3 working days before the bank releases the money for the employee's access?

And also to ask, Does my current employer involve in the WPS policy???.... maybe NO! because the company is above the Law.. the salaries of employees in this company since September 2015 has not been paid, and till this date no one has an idea of when November salary will be released to the ministry for evaluation, which again will take atleast 3 working days before the employees gains access to the money.

If the WPS concept is actually a good one, then the companies or employers dont need so much time to comply, after all if the policy was meant to favour them the company or employer, they would have implimented it within days.

This much questions i think about the Concept of WPS.

Cheers, and have a great day ahead, and ''HAPPY NATIONAL DAY in advance.

By britexpat• 14 Dec 2015 11:58
britexpat

This problem cannot be solved unless and until the government starts enforcing the laws and shutting down companies who mistreat their workers.

By britexpat• 14 Dec 2015 11:59
britexpat

This problem cannot be solved unless and until the government starts enforcing the laws and shutting down companies who mistreat their workers.

By rtz.vashishth• 14 Dec 2015 13:53
rtz.vashishth

.....Also, since two months our company is deducting visa charges from our salary....what corrective action was taken with the help of WPS...??? Nothing!

By rtz.vashishth• 14 Dec 2015 13:49
rtz.vashishth

On Time Salaries...???? Really???? Despite WPS we are receiving salaries atleast 2-3 weeks late....

By kyrioz• 14 Dec 2015 17:05
kyrioz

We still don't have our salaries!!!!

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