The Ministry of Municipality & Environment awarded the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) the Excellence Award in Occupational Safety and Health for its Workers’ Welfare programme.
The body organising the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has received special recognition for its Workers’ Welfare programme by the ministry in a ceremony at the Qatar Achievements on Vocational Safety book launch on Tuesday.
The award aims to highlight the Supreme Committee’s efforts and commitment to numerous health and safety initiatives, especially since global criticism targeted Qatar for its treatment of migrant workers.
The award was received by Mohammed Fahad Al Hajri, Compliance and Audits Senior Manager from the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Department.
“I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of my colleagues at the SC. The health, safety, and protection of our workforce has always been at the forefront of our work since we won the hosting rights and we appreciate this important recognition,” said Al Hajri.
Read more: Qatar’s new labour laws: After celebration must come work.
In the 2020 Qatar Achievements on Vocational Safety book, achievements of several Qatari companies and institutions in the field of occupational safety are highlighted and analysed, shedding light on Qatar’s effort to ensure safety and protection for workers.
Developed under the patronage of the Ministry of Municipality & Environment, the book encourages positive change in Qatar’s business sector, a step that is crucial for Qatar to achieve its 2030 vision.
“We are proud to receive this award as it is a testament to our efforts to not only improve workers’ welfare standards on our projects, but also across the nation. As Qatar 2022 draws closer, our workers’ health and safety will remain a top priority,” said Mahmoud Qutub, Executive Director of the Workers’ Welfare Department.
The book includes all of SC’s efforts to date, topline statistics across the programme, in addition to key initiatives aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of workers. Among the key initiatives are comprehensive annual health screenings, centralised electronic medical records, occupational health and safety training, and the innovative cooling wear ‘StayQool’.
“We want to ensure this tournament acts as a catalyst for significant positive and long-term impacts to the well-being of workers in Qatar and beyond. This will be our legacy,” he added.
Major reforms
Since winning the bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar has come under global scrutiny due to work-related deaths at stadium construction sites.
In August, Qatar’s ministry of labour announced major new changes in the country’s labour market, allowing migrant workers to change jobs without their employer’s permission and introducing a non-discriminatory minimum wage.
The move, which is set to start a new era for the Qatari labour market, was praised by many international organisations, including the International Labour Organisation [ILO].
“By introducing these significant changes, Qatar has delivered on a commitment. One that will give workers more freedom and protection, and employers more choice,” said Guy Ryder, the ILO Director-General. “We are witnessing what can be achieved when governments, workers and employers work together with the ILO to promote decent work for all.”
The announcement is part of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision of protecting workers and ensuring their safety, a step described by Yousuf Mohamed Al Othman Fakhroo, Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, as a major milestone for the country.
