Qatar to recruit 150,000 Pakistanis to increase employment opportunities

KARACHI: The Consul General (CG) of Qatar, Mishal M. Al Ansari has informed that his government is planning to recruit over 150,000 Pakistanis over the next few years to increase their existing employment opportunities.

Mishal M. Al Ansari said the decision was taken to increase Pakistanis employment from 150,000 to over 300,000.

While addressing the members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in a meeting he expressed keen interest in investing in different sectors of Pakistan for the mutual benefit of both countries.

He apprised them that the number of companies with complete ownership of Pakistanis has significantly increased. He added that numerous joint ventures between Pakistan and Qatar in different fields including defense production and training, food, and agriculture are in the pipeline.

The traders welcomed Qatar’s keen interest and assured all possible assistance and support in his future endeavors aimed at furthering Pak-Qatar relations.

During the meetings, both sides discussed various areas of interest, bilateral cooperation in different business sectors.

Earlier,  Qatar had imposed new labour reforms including scrapping a rule requiring employers consent to change jobs will also implement a basic monthly minimum wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals.

The landmark announcement was made by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs (MADLSA). Under Qatar’s kafala (sponsorship) system, migrant workers needed to obtain employer’s permission before changing jobs, a law that has led to abuse and exploitation.

Migrant workers can now change jobs with the need for a no-objection certificate (NOC) before the end of their contract subject to a notice period. “Either party must provide one month written notice in the first two years of the contract or two months notice beyond the second year of the contract,” the MADLSA said in a statement.

It added that the ministry will be working with employers to update all employment contracts where workers earn less than the amount established by the new minimum wage law which will come into force after six months.

The statement added that as part of efforts to boost the effectiveness of the Wage Protection System, the new amendments prescribe stricter penalties for employers failing to pay workers’ wages and introduce penalties for employers who fail to provide adequate accommodation.

In addition to the minimum wage, the ministry has also announced the provision of 500 riyals for accommodation and 300 riyals for food if those expenses are not provided as part of the contract.