He highlighted the continuity of efforts to ensure that workers' rights develop in accordance with human rights and in close cooperation with the competent authorities, expressing his gratitude to the coordinators of participating communities for their cooperation and to the representatives of the Ministry of Labor, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Qatari Diar, and guests of foreign embassies.
For his part, Technical Specialist (OSH) at the ILO Project Office for the State of Qatar Michael Kandarakis stressed the need to raise awareness and launch behavior change campaigns targeting workers, employers, and the general public regarding risks associated with high temperatures and measures to be taken under such circumstances.
Kandarakis said that the State of Qatar has adopted the most advanced and comprehensive legislation on heat exhaustion in the region, and perhaps the world, indicating that alleviating heat exhaustion and protecting workers from conditions associated with it is a complex issue that requires in-depth scientific research and guidance, adding that the ILO always calls for developing evidence-based policies and legislation.
Regarding the application of Qatari law, the Technical Specialist said that the ILO praises labor inspection campaigns that ensure the suspension of work during prohibited hours, thanking the NHRC and the Ministry of Labor.
For his part, Ministry of Labor representative Zayed Suhail Al Mazroui reviewed the Ministry's contributions in the field of occupational safety and health, which includes labor inspections, occupational safety and health, the adoption of a national policy for labor inspection and for occupational safety and health, the training of inspectors, conducting inspection visits and campaigns, collection, analyzing, and disseminating data and findings, in addition to administrative efforts to protect workers from the risk of heat exhaustion.
Al Mazroui said that the Ministry organizes annual awareness and inspection campaigns to ensure compliance with the ban on working in open spaces during the summer period to protect workers from heat exhaustion, adding that the occupational safety and health administration has set a strict inspection plan for the summer period, in which legal measures are taken against violating companies.
The Ministry of Labor representative explained that the penalty for violating the ministerial ban consists of a partial or complete closure of the violating workplace by a minister decision.
In turn, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) representative Dr Ahmed Idlibi said that this campaign is proof of the administration's interest and contribution to joint efforts that aim to build a safe and healthy society, stressing that together with all other partners. He added that QRCS endeavors to reach the common goal of protecting workers from the risks of heat exhaustion, in addition to improving their health in accordance with human rights, the most important of which is the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, and the protection of workers and employers alike, improving health conditions and increasing productability.
Dr. Idlibi added that QRCS represented by the Medical Affairs Division provides a wide range of high-quality healthcare services to single male workers in the State of Qatar through the four Workers' Health Centers it manages and operates in accordance with an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health. He noted that all services are provided free of charge, except for medication, where patients bear 20 percent of the price of medication.
Source: Qatar News Agency