Statement from Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour Al Thani, Deputy Director for Planning of the Government Communications Office, in response to Human Rights Watch article published on 10 October 2019
Qatar has worked relentlessly for years with various international organizations to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all workers. To suggest otherwise is false and misleading.
Our work with international organizations and partners has resulted in Qatar leading the region on workers’ health and safety across the board. Summer working hours have been strictly implemented and enforced through regular workplace inspections. This has resulted in more than 300 cases of work suspension ordered by inspectors during the summer of 2019.
We recognize the challenges that exist around heat stress during the summer months and we have developed, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), specific guidance for employers to conduct risk assessments to mitigate any possible risk of heat stress.
As part of our commitment to workers welfare we are currently leading a comprehensive review on the impact of heat stress together with the ILO and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. The findings will feed into our future work on all matters related to health and safety.