Qatar receives ILO report despite differences of opinion | Labor Rights Issues

An analysis of the deaths of migrant workers in Qatar has highlighted the gaps in government information collection and the diversity of employment-related activities, according to a new report by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The ILO said on Friday it had agreed with major Qatari organizations to conduct a comprehensive study of occupational injuries and deaths in 2020, but noted the shortcomings in which they were identified.

“As a result, it is not possible to quantify the number of people seriously injured in the workplace in the country,” the report said, calling for a change in the way statistics are collected and researched.

At least 50 workers died in Qatar last year, with more than 500 seriously injured and another 37,600 injured or less, reports ILO, One is Too Many.PDF), he said.

According to the ILO, most of the workers who were injured on the job came from Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

“Fallen from heights and road accidents are the cause of serious injuries, followed by collisions in the workplace,” it added.

‘Another work to be done’

Workplaces for migrant workers in Qatar have been monitored since the Gulf state was given the opportunity in 2010 to host the 2022 World Cup.

In a statement on Friday, the Qatari ministry of labor received an ILO report and said it was reviewing its findings.

No other country has come this far career change in such a short period of time, but we acknowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done, “the ministry document added, saying that Qatar will continue to work with the ILO to ensure that change” takes place “.

“As Qatar has consistently stated and as the ILO report confirms, the number of reports of killings of immigrants has been very high. However, improving the health and well-being of foreign workers remains a priority, “said the Ministry of Labor.

The report cites a “significant reduction in occupational injury” over time, highlighting our strong labor reform laws and the success of our working methods. was established in May 2021, “the ministry added.

In August, London-based Amnesty International criticized Qatari officials for failing to investigate the deaths of migrant workers, “despite evidence of premature death and unsafe workplace conditions”.

It added that “Qatar often issues death certificates to migrant workers without proper investigation, instead calling death” a natural cause “or” undiagnosed heart failure “.

Qatar State Office at the time rejection Amnesty ‘findings, in its statement, “the number of injuries and deaths is in line with global trends and the setting of new standards in the region”.

In its report, the ILO called for “a review of the methods used to assess the deaths of young people who appear to be ‘naturally healthy’, to determine if they are actually related to employment, and to ensure that they are properly identified.

This, he said, will ensure that workers and their families receive compensation if they are injured on the job.

The commission also called for the establishment of an integrated global platform that integrates timely and reliable information on occupational injuries.

“The transparency shown in reviewing data collection and analysis methods has allowed us to prioritize sustainable ideas that can be used as action maps,” said Max Tuñón, chief of ILO Project Office in Qatar.

“We need to move quickly, because behind every statistics there is an employee and their family.”

The Ministry of Labor in Qatar added that it “will continue to work effectively with a number of professionals – including the ILO, working groups and non-governmental organizations around the world – to improve the situation”.

“Job change is a daunting task, and Qatar believes that the best solution is to negotiate and engage with it,” the ministry said.