Qatar has undertaken a series of wide-ranging labour reforms in response to mounting international scrutiny over the treatment of its large migrant workforce, especially in the context of preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This chapter examines the effectiveness, limitations, and broader implications of these reforms through a combined legal, institutional, and human rights lens. Drawing on desk research and stakeholder interviews, it analyses the dismantling of the kafala system, the introduction of a non-discriminatory minimum wage, and improvements in complaint mechanisms, occupational safety, and fair recruitment practices. Particular attention is paid to the persistent vulnerabilities of migrant workers, especially domestic workers, and the structural gaps in enforcement that continue to undermine reform outcomes. The study further explores the impact of these policy shifts on labour mobility, bilateral cooperation with migrant-sending countries, and Qatar’s aspirations under its National Vision 2030. Ultimately, the chapter situates Qatar’s experience within broader debates on labour migration governance in the Gulf, offering insights into the complex interplay between legal reform, political will, and worker protection in temporary labour migration regimes.

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Transformative Labour Reforms in Qatar: An In-Depth Examination of Their Efficacy and Implications for Future Patterns in Labour Migration

  • Maria Dolores Picot

摘要

Qatar has undertaken a series of wide-ranging labour reforms in response to mounting international scrutiny over the treatment of its large migrant workforce, especially in the context of preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This chapter examines the effectiveness, limitations, and broader implications of these reforms through a combined legal, institutional, and human rights lens. Drawing on desk research and stakeholder interviews, it analyses the dismantling of the kafala system, the introduction of a non-discriminatory minimum wage, and improvements in complaint mechanisms, occupational safety, and fair recruitment practices. Particular attention is paid to the persistent vulnerabilities of migrant workers, especially domestic workers, and the structural gaps in enforcement that continue to undermine reform outcomes. The study further explores the impact of these policy shifts on labour mobility, bilateral cooperation with migrant-sending countries, and Qatar’s aspirations under its National Vision 2030. Ultimately, the chapter situates Qatar’s experience within broader debates on labour migration governance in the Gulf, offering insights into the complex interplay between legal reform, political will, and worker protection in temporary labour migration regimes.