The Mission of United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) organized a celebration of International Migrants Day under the title “International Migrants Day: Success Stories from Qatar.”
The parties participating in the ceremony – which was organized in Doha, with the attendance of HE Minister of Labor Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, highlighted the achievements made by the State of Qatar in the field of migrant workers, highlighting the active and leading role of the various ministries of the state in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals implemented by United Nations programs and institutions.
The celebration also reviewed the success stories of integration and coexistence of migrant workers in the State of Qatar.
The International Migrants Day is celebrated annually on Dec. 18, and this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the IOM and the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
In a speech during the ceremony, HE Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi stressed that the State of Qatar paid appreciable attention to migrant workers and considered them authentic partners in the development and renaissance projects pursued by the state. This is in line with the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which include recruiting migrant workers, protecting their rights, and enhancing economic growth opportunities.
Thanks to the implementation of Qatar National Vision 2030, the State of Qatar is witnessing a distinct stage in its history, represented in its progress towards a complete, comprehensive and accelerated development, which results in the state recording rates of growth and economic recovery that it has not witnessed before, he said, adding that the state’s expatriate workers play a pivotal role in this development, which is why protecting and promoting their rights has always been a strategic choice and a moral obligation before it was a political and legal obligation.
He pointed out that the last stage witnessed fundamental legislative and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening and protecting the rights of migrant workers in the State of Qatar and creating a safe and balanced work
environment in line with the standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO), as the sponsorship system was abolished and replaced with a contractual system.
He explained that specific measures were adopted to improve conditions and procedures for hiring expatriate workers, such as the system of wage protection, inspection, occupational safety and health, facilitating access to justice for workers, and removing restrictions related to changing employers, in implementation of the directives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
He said that the State of Qatar is convinced that wealth lies in diversity, and that migrant workers all over the world play an important role in achieving development in the countries to which they migrate and in their countries of origin. Therefore, the country has always maintained that the issues of immigration and the presence of foreigners must be addressed in a fair, comprehensive, and balanced manner that takes into account the social and economic dimensions and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of these people, he added.
In this regard, His Excellency referred to the State of Qatar’s active participation in all consultations and its contribution to the efforts that culminated in the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
He stressed the State of Qatar’s keenness to put the commitments and guiding principles contained in this agreement into practice through the formation of a national working group to keep pace with international efforts in order to achieve the commitments and goals stipulated, based on its national principles based on respect for human rights, upholding the rule of law, and the openness regionally and internationally to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
On the other hand, HE Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s keenness to enhance coordination and cooperation with various organizations and authorities concerned with migrant workers, as offices for the International Organization for Migration and the International Labor Organization were opened.
He added that Doha’s hosting of these offices, along with a number of representative offices of other UN organizations and agencies, confirms the belief of the State of Qatar’s wise leadership, in the importance of strengthening the strategic partnership with the United Nations and effectively contributing to enabling it to enhance its ability to implement its regional and international activities and programs, emphasizing the Qatar’s readiness and determination to move forward in strengthening these partnerships and pushing them forward to achieve the aspired goals.
He pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic represented the greatest challenge witnessed by humanity since World War II and the founding of the United Nations, explaining that the pandemic’s health, social, and economic effects crossed all borders, as no country was able to address it alone.
Since the outbreak of this pandemic, the State of Qatar has realized the need for an urgent and coordinated national and international response to address it, and it took effective measures at the national level to limit the spread of the pandemic, taking into account the needs of some groups, including migrant workers, he added. pointing out that it provided full and easy access to care services and fair and equitable access to the vaccine, without discrimination.
In fulfillment of its humanitarian duty at the international level, the State of Qatar has continued to provide aid for the urgent response to the pandemic, with contributions exceeding USD 140 million, from which 80 countries have benefited, along with many international organizations, especially the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), he added.
HE Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi reiterated that the State of Qatar will continue to support all efforts aimed at obtaining vaccinations for everyone, especially in light of the spread of new COVID-19 variants that are still emerging.
He emphasized the belief that vaccinations are the best and only way towards a rapid termination of this pandemic, pointing out that some people cannot be safe unless everyone is safe, expressing his hope that this celebration will be crowned with success.
He said that this celebration reflects the importance that the State of Qatar attaches to the great role played by migrant workers and their valuable efforts and contributions, noting that migrants have made positive contributions to society and have many success stories.
His Excellency valued the efforts of IOM Chief Iman Ereiqat, wishing her and the organization’s office in Qatar every success in carrying out their tasks.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
