Qatar further eases restrictions on migrant workers' exit

DUBAI, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Qatar said on Thursday it had
scrapped restrictions on leaving the country for nearly all
migrant workers as part of reforms answering accusations of
exploitation especially in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup.
The measure removes exit visas for hundreds of thousands of
domestic workers left out of earlier reforms - mainly from Asian
nations like Nepal, India and the Philippines - whom rights
groups said were left open to abuse by being excluded.
Unions and activists have documented labour exploitation,
dangerous conditions and deaths of workers building stadiums and
infrastructure for both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the
upcoming event in Qatar.
The Gulf state, which hopes the 2022 World Cup will boost
its economy and development, is eager to show it is creating a
modern system that protects all expatriate workers.
"The removal of exit permits is an important milestone in
the government's labour reform agenda," said Houtan
Homayounpour, head of the International Organization for Labour
(ILO) office in Qatar, which welcomed the move.
Qatar in 2018 eliminated exit visas for many foreign migrant
workers. But the reform did not apply to domestic workers,
government and public institution staff, the oil and gas sector,
and workers employed at sea and in agriculture.
Under the new system, exit permit requirements will remain
in place for members of the armed forces and for a limited
number of workers in key company posts.
"Employers have the right to identify a maximum of 5% of
their workforce whose exit from Qatar will continue to require
prior approval," a government statement said.
A "kafala" sponsorship system for workers is common in Gulf
states with large foreign communities. In gas-rich Qatar, it
requires workers to obtain employers' consent before changing
jobs, which activists say fosters exploitation.
Qatar has only 300,000 citizens of its own.
In 2017 the ILO, a United Nations' body, dropped a case
against Doha over its treatment of foreign workers after it
committed to far-reaching reforms.
Qatar has imposed a minimum wage and established dispute
resolution committees to fast-track complaints of unpaid
salaries. It also says work is underway to enable workers to
change employers more easily.