Qatar has announced sweeping reforms to its labour market, with a ruling to end the kafala system, marking a momentous step forward in upholding the rights of millions of migrant workers, including those from Bangladesh.

[Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Bangladesh Country Director, said] “These reforms will benefit approximately 400,000 Bangladesh migrant workers in Qatar, 75% of whom are employed in the construction sector...

“By reforming the system, migrant workers will now have the freedom to change jobs, no longer rely on exit permits and see minimum wages for both migrant and national workers,” said the ILO [press] release.