Labor law changes announced by the Emir of Qatar add a new layer of repression for migrant workers and leave the kafala sponsorship system intact, according to International Trade Union Confederation, Arabian Business reported. Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary, said, “Promises of reform have been used as a smokescreen to draw in companies and governments to do business in Qatar as the Persian Gulf Arab state rolls out massive infrastructure developments to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.” The ITUC said in a statement that the new labor law does not abolish exit permits, and workers still have to get their employers’ permission to leave the country. It said migrant workers do not have the right to join a union while domestic workers remain wholly excluded from the labor law. Under the new proposals approved by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, which will be introduced in 2017, workers will be able to leave the country after giving at least three days’ notice to the interior ministry.
