Qatar introduces minimum wage for first time Published duration 25 October 2017

image copyright AFP image caption Migrants working in construction for the World Cup are often reported to face harsh conditions

Qatar has committed to a range of labour law reforms, including the introduction of a minimum wage.

Doha's record on migrant worker rights has been under international scrutiny in the run-up to the 2022 football World Cup.

The announcement came the day before a meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which had warned Qatar to end abuse of migrant workers.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ICTU) welcomed the move.

Its general secretary Sharan Burrow said the changes signalled the start of "real reforms" and "will bring to an end the use of modern slavery".

The ILO - a UN agency - had given Qatar a deadline of November to demonstrate progress on migrant workers' rights, and could open a rare formal investigation.

Its governing body is meeting in a plenary session between 26 October and 9 November.

image copyright Getty Images image caption World Cup venues like the Al Wakrah stadium are being built from scratch for the tournament

Qatar has long operated on a system called "kafala", a strict work sponsorship scheme that forced foreign workers to get permission from their employer to change jobs, or even leave the country.

The ITUC said that the latest agreed reforms include:

A minimum wage for all workers, regardless of race

Employers will no longer be able to stop employees leaving Qatar

Identification documents will be issued by the state, rather than businesses

A central authority will track work contracts, to prevent promised terms being replaced with worse conditions

Employee's committees will be set up in workplaces, alongside a complaint resolution process

Ms Burrow said that much still needed to be done, and the ITUC would be meeting with Qatar's labour minister to discuss the issues.

It is unclear when any or all of the proposed changes will come into effect.

There are an estimated 1.5 to 2 million migrant workers in Qatar, many of whom work in the construction industry and come from Asian countries.

A 2013 report from the ITUC said at least 1,200 migrant workers had died in the 2022 World Cup construction projects.