Qatar: Migrant-Rights.org finds widespread evidence workers are still not able to change jobs, despite reform; Govt. employment co. WISA responds
Despite the abolishment of the no-objection certificate in 2020, Migrant-Rights.org continues to receive reports from workers apparently unable to change jobs or for whom changing jobs remains difficult and expensive.
Women migrants, particularly domestic workers, are those worst affected with one government-owned labour supply company, WISA, accused of "turning" down workers' requests to change jobs. One worker stated that they needed the now-abolished NOC because WISA is a government company; many others said that the process is difficult due to the fact they were originally hired from abroad.
A pattern of workers relying on word-of-mouth information on the reforms and their rights emerged too, while an official confirmed to MR that the new rule applied to all companies, including for public sector workers.
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited WISA to respond to the allegations; their response can be read in full below.
If they really want us to believe that the Kafala system is being abolished. We recommend that MADLSA remind the employers through the mainstream media that they should be in parallel with the State of Qatar's vision in improving migrant domestic workers' welfare. The freedom to change jobs is all migrant workers' rights. The Ministry should impose harsher penalties for violators.International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) representative