Qatar: BWI, WISF, and Ministry of Labour host Community Leaders’ Forum to address migrant workers’ issues
On 4 October 2024, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Workers Support and Insurance Fund (WSIF), hosted the Community Leaders’ Forum (CLF) in Doha. The forum brought together around 300 representatives from migrant worker communities and claimants from 19 nationalities across Asia and Africa to discuss solutions to workers' challenges, resolve pending claims, and enhance their understanding of labour grievance mechanisms.
The CLF provided a platform for continued dialogue between Qatar's MoL and migrant workers' representatives. With the WSIF present, discussions focused on collaboratively identifying solutions to workers’ issues, addressing outstanding claims and concerns, and improving labour grievance mechanisms.
The event was opened by BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson and WSIF Executive Director Kholoud Al Kubaisi, with solidarity messages delivered by Dietmar Schäfers, Deputy President of BWI and IGBAU Germany; Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros; and Liz Snape, Assistant General Secretary of UNISON and International Spokesperson for the TUC, UK. The speakers acknowledged the positive changes made, reaffirmed their commitment to further improving the conditions of migrant workers, and highlighted the importance of international cooperation and solidarity.
The forum concluded by celebrating the success of the joint Campaign on Heat Stress, which was launched in May 2024. The campaign reached over 2,824 workers across 25 companies and communities, and its achievements were recognised as a significant outcome of the ongoing collaboration between BWI, Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, and migrant worker communities, showcasing the effectiveness of these partnerships.