The Hindu Business Line : Pact with Qatar to protect workers’ rights

For more security: Mr Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, exchanging documents with Dr Sultan Bin Hassan Al-Dhabit Al-Dosari, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Qatar, after signing an additional protocol to the agreement on the regulation of the employment of Indian manpower, in the Capital on Tuesday. - Ramesh Sharma

Our Bureau

New Delhi, Nov. 20 In a move that would help more than three lakh Indian workers in Qatar, the two countries have decided to establish a joint committee, to look into issues including providing full wages and other entitlements under the contract and labour laws for the entire unutilised contract period in case a worker is repatriated prematurely.

An additional protocol to the 1985 Bilateral Agreement on the Regulation of Employment of Indian Manpower was signed on Tuesday by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Qatar, Dr Sultan Bin Hassan Al-Dhabit Al-Dosari and the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Mr Vayalar Ravi. Speaking to the media on the occasion, Mr Ravi said that the protocol was based on the principle of benefit to all — the workers, the employers, India and Qatar.

Besides, this is also for the welfare of Indian workers in the unorganised sector, the Minister said.

The Government was working on having similar agreements to protect Indian workers in Bahrain and Oman, Mr Ravi said. “Both the agreements should be firmed up by the end of the year.

Except for Saudi Arabia with whom India does not have such an agreement, the other parts of the Gulf are covered as an agreement already exists with UAE and Kuwait,” Mr Ravi said.

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