The ILO Governing Body session on the complaint concerning non-observance by Qatar of the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) , and the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) , concluded on Wednesday (8 November) with a decision to close the complaint, while endorsing the launch of a comprehensive 3-year ILO technical cooperation programme in Qatar...[the programme] will support the implementation of numerous measures adopted by the Government of Qatar to replace the kafala system with a contractual employment relation and to address passport confiscation, contract substitution, as well as restrictions on the ability of migrant workers to change employers and exit the country.

“The ILO welcomes the commitment of Qatar to engage in substantive cooperation with the Organization for the promotion and protection of workers’ rights, and looks forward to the successful implementation of the cooperation programme over the next three years,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. Luc Cortebeeck, Chairperson of the Governing Body said “the transformation of this complaint into a real commitment by the Government of Qatar to make positive change on the ground for all workers is a very encouraging development. We celebrate this moment for Qatar and its two million migrant workers.”