Qatar's Wage Protection System checks in tomorrow

Qatar on Tuesday officially launches one of its most "significant" labour reforms to guarantee migrant workers' wages.

The Wage Protection System (WPS) aims to ensure that migrant labourers, many working on 2022 World Cup-related projects, will finally receive their pay on time.

Under the new system, workers will be paid either twice a month or monthly, and the wages electronically transferred direct to their bank accounts.

On August 18, a six-month grace period for businesses to ready for the electronic payment system expires.

From that date, companies which fail to pay staff on time could face fines of up to 6,000 Qatari riyals ($1,650/1,485 euros), be banned from recruiting new staff, and bosses potentially sent to jail.

Inspection teams will monitor the new system and identify any firms not complying with the regulations.

The WPS is being overseen by the labour ministry, which has previously pointed to its introduction as proof of Qatar's commitment to labour reform.

In May, the ministry cited the WPS as an example of the "significant changes" being introduced in response to furious criticism of its labour practices since the controversial decision to allow Qatar to host football's biggest tournament.

Doha has said it backs "effective and sustainable change" and says the WPS, like Qatar's promise of accommodation improvements for 250,000 workers, demonstrates a commitment to this end.

Qatar has pledged by the end of 2015 to abolish the system under which employers retain the passports of workers, who are not allowed to change jobs.

 

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